Peter Romeo

Ells, a chef by training, has been a disruptor, industry critic, apologist, risk taker, contrarian and culinary traditionalist.

The executive who worked magic at Popeyes would be the ideal chief for a brand just starting its searching for a leader: Taco Bell.

Restaurants are among the 15 groups that want banks to have some responsibilities, too.

Or at least not too much. The industry needs a sometimes-annoying contrarian to keep it fresh and innovative. Let it remain the anti-fast-food brand.

Here's what Ron Shaich, Restaurant Business’ 2018 Restaurant Leader of the Year, recalls as the critical pivot points so far for the company he led for more than three decades.

The troubled burrito chain has plucked an experienced marketer from Taco Bell, the sort of chain it swore it would never copy.