Restaurateur, Industry Icon and Founder, Brinker International

Norman Brinker was an innovative restaurateur who helped bridge the gap between fast food and fine dining with his casual, full-service chains-among them, Chili’s, Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale. Chief to Brinker’s new concepts for eateries was the salad bar, which he popularized at Steak & Ale starting in the late 1960s. He was known not only for emphasizing friendly customer service, but also for quick calibrations in response to changing customer tastes.

 It was all part of Brinker’s idea to make the dinner experience more relaxed and casual. He followed up with a succession of restaurants featuring festive atmospheres and moderately priced menus that found a niche between inexpensive burger joints and pricey gourmet restaurants.

 ”You have about 45 minutes to convince the customer to come again; that’s your objective,” Brinker told the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper in 1991. “Your objective, once the customer is there, is to give them such a good experience, they’ll want to come again.”

Here are some very inspiring lessons from this true restaurant legend:

 Encourage innovation –“Always look for ways to do things better.  Apply and encourage, imagination, initiative, creativity, and ingenuity.” 

Seize the opportunities when they arise – “I believe the that the harder you work, the luckier you get.  And timing certainly has an effect on your luck.”

Delegate and Empower – “You can achieve so much more by empowering people to achieve on their own.  Don’t’ be too hands-on.”

Self-Confidence and Optimism – “Know yourself. Believe in yourself. Trust your judgment. And always remember that happiness is a habit – as is attitude.”

Have Fun – “Have a lot of kid in you.  It you have fun at what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.  Make work play – and play like hell.”

Perseverance – “Determination and perseverance make the difference between winners and losers.  Don’t let others tell you it can’t be done.  Never, ever give up – and never give in.”

Dream the Idea – “There is nothing more valuable in the world than an idea – especially when it involves creating and perpetuating something of lasting value.”

 Quotes excerpted from “On the Brink: The Life and Leadership of Norman Brinker”