Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Explained

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc.
Type:Private
Founder:Rich Melman & Jerry A. Orzoff
Location City:Chicago, Illinois
Location Country:USA
Key People:Rich Melman, co-founder
Jerry A. Orzoff, co-founder
Num Employees:8,000 (2018)
Revenue:$500 million (2005)
Net Income:$80 million (2005)

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) is a restaurant group currently comprising 120 or more restaurants mainly located in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was founded by Rich Melman and Jerry A. Orzoff in 1971.

History

The first restaurant, R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park, opened on June 10, 1971.[1] It is still in operation, as of 2024.[2]

The company lists nine original partners: Bill Higgins, Melman, Bill Frost, Bob Wattel, Charles Haskell, Orzoff, Marvin Magid, Danny Koval and Fred Joast.[3] By 1976 the company had 5 restaurants and a band called Fresh Lettuce.[4] The partners continued expanding the company's network of restaurants. By the mid-1980s, the company employed over 2,000 people and had annual revenues of $40 million.[4] Since its founding the company has opened 130 restaurants, with 70 concepts.[5]

The restaurants are unique and vary in price, theme, and cuisine. However, they generally combine theatrical flair and good value.[6] LEYE currently owns, licenses or manages more than 100 establishments in Illinois, California, Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota and Nevada, including Wildfire, Petterino's, RPM Italian, RPM Steak, Beatrix, Oyster Bah, Shaw's Crab House, and Everest.[3] Also among its creations are two restaurants in the Paris Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, the Eiffel Tower and Mon Ami Gabi (an expansion of the flagship location in Chicago), Big Bowl, and L2O.[7]

IN 2000, LEYE had 38 partners, 45 concepts, and 4,000 employees. It owns, operates and licenses 90 restaurant venues in the United States. It has separate restaurant consulting and restaurant development companies.[8] The food court at Water Tower Place is among its operations.[9] 1999 annual revenue estimates ranged from $145 to over $200 million.[7] [8] 2005 revenue estimates were $300 million, with 5000 employees and approximately $50 million in net earnings.[5]

Restaurants

Lettuce Entertain You restaurants include:[5]

Sold/divested restaurants

Closed restaurants

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zeldes, Leah A. . Zeldes, Leah A. . Happy 40th anniversary, Lettuce Entertain You . Dining Chicago . June 2, 2011 . June 6, 2011 .
  2. Web site: Yelp. 2020. RJ Grunts. 2020-02-06.
  3. Web site: The Lettuce Entertain You Story . Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc. . February 2, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070207203422/http://www.leye.com/company/history.htm . February 7, 2007 .
  4. Web site: Wilson, Mark R. . "Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.", Encyclopedia of Chicago . Chicago Historical Society . 2005 . February 2, 2007 .
  5. Web site: Carpenter, Dave . Restaurateur sees salad days ahead . NBC News (Associated Press story also published on CBSNews.com) . July 20, 2006 . February 2, 2007 .
  6. News: Retro Magnate Moves East. August 4, 2008. February 13, 1991. Kleiman, Dena. The New York Times.
  7. News: Cebrzynski, Gregg . Richard Melman - chief executive officer of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc . Nation's Restaurant News . January 2000 . February 2, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070129060735/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_5_34/ai_59227913 . January 29, 2007 .
  8. Web site: Sheridan, Margaret . Richard Melman on Savoring Peace of Mind . Restaurant & Institutions Magazine . 2000 . February 2, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070428051814/http://www.rimag.com/archives/2000/10b/interface-melman.asp . April 28, 2007 .
  9. News: Block Party:After years of highs and lows — and plenty of wheeling and dealing — the first new building at Block 37 is set to rise this month. Chicago Social. July 2008. 68. Olvera. Jennifer.
  10. Web site: Antico Posto.
  11. Web site: LEYE Restaurants . March 14, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101231222959/http://www.leye.com/files/LEYE_Restaurants.pdf . December 31, 2010 . dead . mdy-all .
  12. Web site: L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge.
  13. News: The Legend Of Rich Melman: Founder Of Lettuce Entertain You. July 28, 2015. chicagonow.com. 2018-02-04. en-US.
  14. News: Rich Melman Looks Back At 40 Years of Lettuce Entertain You. Eater Chicago. Jun 10, 2011. 2020-01-02.
  15. Web site: Oyster Bah . oysterbah.com.
  16. Web site: THE ECCENTRIC CLOSES THIS WEEKEND; LES NOMADES TO GO PUBLIC. Phil. September 29, 1995. Vettel. chicagotribune.com.

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