The Power 20

This year's 20 elite leaders of the restaurant industry

The Power 20

Power 20

The Power 20

The Power 20: Emerging Leaders

For this year’s Power 20 list, RB sought to recognize the next wave of great restaurant leaders. We gathered nominations from current executives and did some groundwork of our own to identify these 20 standouts, whose careers are on the rise thanks to their accomplishments across many areas of the business.

It’s rare for a new menu item to reverse the fortunes of a restaurant brand in the way that zucchini noodles did for Noodles & Co. last summer.

The San Francisco-based private-equity firm launched its middle-market and growth-equity platform, called TPG Growth, in 2007; it has recently become one of the more active investors in the country with holdings such as Airbnb and Spotify—as well as a major player in the restaurant space.

The Atlanta-based private-equity firm is one of the most prolific investors in the restaurant industry.

Landry’s CEO Tilman Fertitta is among the biggest deal-makers in the restaurant industry.

The private-equity group has been relatively quiet in recent years, despite the currently active state of the merger and acquisition environment in the restaurant industry.

The New York-based private-equity firm has been acquiring both growth chains and larger concepts, as well as franchisees.

The Los Angeles-based private-equity firm has been an active investor in growth chains.

Meet the family dynasties leading restaurants into a new generation.

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