Alumnus Profile: Kevin J. Brown (BA '77), President and CEO, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc.

Chicago is memorable for many reasons, including its great restaurants. Several of the most innovative and successful were created by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. (LEYE) and its talented team of executives. With all credit to founder and chairman Richard Melman, Kevin Brown, president and CEO, has helped develop and open 60 restaurants in the Chicago area and across the U.S.

With a vision rare for such a young man, after graduating Kevin started working with Rich Melman at LEYE's first restaurant, R.J. Grunts, in Chicago. Learning from Rich, who is The School's 2006 Honorary Alumnus of the Year, and absorbing his creative ideas and energy, Kevin knew he had found his niche in the industry. He moved up in the company, along the way developing three of Lettuce's most popular restaurant concepts: Shaw's Crab House, The Mity Nice Grill, and Vong's Thai Kitchen.

By 1992, Kevin developed the highly successful Big Bowl, which opened May 1992, followed by the opening of several other locations in Chicago, Minnesota, and Virginia. Purchased in 2001 by Brinker International, the concept was repurchased by LEYE in 2005, and now there are eight Big Bowl locations managed and owned by LEYE.

As President and CEO of Lettuce, Kevin's emphasis is on continuing the trend toward innovation and creation of new concepts that are the driving forces of the company.

Kevin maintains that the competition and standards in the industry have steadily increased on every level, but some basics remain the "heart of the business: great food, wonderful service, and making sure your customers and your staff are cared for and respected."

He adds, "Great food, taking care of our guests, growth opportunities with existing concepts and new restaurant development - all these are my priorities in the years ahead. Lettuce is a great blend of entrepreneurial spirit and a strong, stable environment. When you put the right people with the right concepts you can create the excitement that has been Rich Melman's standard at Lettuce. I am proud to help continue the culture of innovation and service that is Lettuce's reputation."

Under his leadership, LEYE is considered to be one of the best companies to work for, reflecting Kevin and founder Rich Melman's emphasis on having fun, working hard, and creating an inviting, exciting, and empowering atmosphere for their staff members. Their vision for the company has made LEYE one of the most respected in the restaurant industry.

In Kevin's case, being a visionary has brought tangible results: successful restaurants and a company with a stellar reputation in the industry. However, Kevin would also like to be known for less tangible qualities: quality and integrity and "the relationships I have forged with my wife, Kristi, my children, Richard Melman, and my Lettuce partners."

In addition to being a member of the Beaumont Tower giving society with Kristi, Kevin has served on The School's Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors, on its Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, and on its Volunteer Fundraising Committee for the Culinary Business Learning Lab revitalization project. He has provided countless internships and has hired some of the most promising School graduates. He also mentors and supports many individuals in the Chicago-area business community and serves on the Board of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Kevin is a person whose vision has changed the landscape of Chicago-area dining and has helped create a company known and respected for innovation and forward-thinking. His vision has also inspired a generation of School students who dream of making a difference and leaving their own legacies. For all of this, and for thinking big and visualizing quality and integrity, Kevin was inducted in The School's Alumni Association Wall of Fame Class of Visionaries in November, 2008 at the Celebration of Leadership. Accepting his award, Kevin told the students present, "Be self-less leaders, using opportunities wisely and accepting challenges. When you have the opportunity to lead, you have the opportunity to make lives better for people."