DALLAS Nation’s Restaurant News announced Monday that it has created a new award, called The Norman, in honor of late industry legend Norman Brinker. The award will celebrate foodservice leaders who have distinguished themselves through the mentoring of tomorrow’s executives, much as Brinker did throughout his career.
The first Norman award will be given at next year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference in Orlando, Fla. Nation’s Restaurant News publisher Tom Larranaga announced the award at this year’s MUFSO conference in Dallas, on the final night of the three-day affair, when attendees celebrated 50 years of MUFSO, Golden Chain winners, and Brinker himself, who served as the conference chairman until his death in June. This year’s MUFSO was dedicated to the memory of Brinker, the founder of such concepts at Chili’s Grill & Bar and Steak & Ale.
An advisory board has been created to help identify who in the industry’s ranks are identifying and shaping tomorrow’s leaders and worthy of The Norman. The advisory board includes Doug Brooks, chairman and chief executive of Brinker International Inc.; Richard Melman; founder and chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises; Dick Rivera, chief executive of Real Mex Restaurants; and Lane Cardwell, chief executive of Boston Market.
As the award was announced, Brinker’s wife, Toni, accepted a memento of thanks from Nation’s Restaurant News.
“Toni, on behalf of Nation’s Restaurant News and everyone here with us tonight, please accept this as a lasting token of our sincerest gratitude to Norman for leading by example and giving this industry a benchmark for successful leadership that will live on for generations to come,” Larranaga said.
