The man leading Dallas through the painful aftermath of Thursday night’s police shootings is a familiar talent to anyone who’s been in the restaurant business for a while.
Before Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings pursued a career in politics, he was building restaurant companies, most noticeably as president of Pizza Hut from 1997 through 2003.
He also served as CEO of a foodservice management company, Legends Hospitality, the creator of the Legends steakhouse in Yankee Stadium and operator of concessions within both the Bronx landmark and Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. It focused virtually exclusively on the foodservice operations of sports venues, both pro and minor-league.
Most recently, he funded a number of restaurant chains through the investment company he co-founded, CIC Partners, which he now serves as vice chairman after holding the key position pre-election of managing partner. The company has helped to fund the growth of the Willie’s fast-casual concept and the T. Mac wings and beer chain.
It has also fueled the growth of Furr’s and Don Pablo’s.
Mike is a director of the Taco Mac and Granite City restaurant chains, and had a seat on the board of Quiznos.
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