For an industry blasted as a dead-end career choice, the food-away-from-home business abounds with individuals who’ve followed their parents into the trade, knowing full well the life they’ve selected. Just look at how many successive generations have matched their elders in winning a Silver or Gold Plate Award.
These familial dynasties include such well-known clans as the Marriotts (J.W., Bill, and Richard), New Orleans’ Brennans (Ella, Ralph, and Dickie) and foodservice management’s Metzes (John Sr., John Jr., and Jeff).
From left to right: J.W. Marriott, Bill Marriott, Richard Marriott, Ella Brennan, Ralph Brennan, Dickie Brennan, John Metz Sr., John Metz Jr., Jeff Metz.
Lesser known because of the long gap between their awards are the Eures. Thad, Jr., himself the son of the longest-serving elected official in U.S. history, won a Silver Plate in 1982 for his time at General Mills Restaurant Group, where he’d launched a TGI Friday’s-like concept called Darryl’s. His daughter, Van, was honored with a Gold Plate in 2004 for her stewardship of the restaurant her father had co-founded, The Angus Barn in Raleigh, N.C.
From left to right: Thad Eure Jr and Van Eure
Two brothers, Curtis and Pres Blake, split the Silver Plate award in 1974 for the family dining chain they’d co-founded, Friendly’s. Famously, the brothers shut their enterprise when World War II began, posting a note on the front door of their flagship restaurant reading, “We’re off to win the war!”
From left to right: Curtis and Pres Blake in front of Friendly's
The siblings won in the category of Chain Fast Service, a reflection of the hybrid service model Friendly’s featured at the time. Today, Friendly’s is seen as a full-service operation.
The number of related winners increases exponentially if the definition of “family” is stretched to include family-run companies.
Marriott, in its various iterations, could stock a good-sized trophy shop with all the Silver Plates its leaders have taken home.
In addition to corporate patriarch J.W. “Willard” Marriott (1975) and sons Bill (1993) and Richard (2008), the list of honorees includes Karl Kilburg (1989), Charles O’Dell (1995), Brad Nelson (2014), and Wolfgang Lindlbauer (2016).
From left to right:J.W "Williard Marriott", Karl Kilburg, Bill Marriott, Charles O'Dell, Richard Marriott, Brad Nelson, and Wolfgang Lindbauer
The Bethesda, MD-based corporation appears to have won more Plates than any other company in the program’s 71-year history.
Family-owned Golden Corral has been the home of four winners, including the three individuals who’ve served as CEO of the 52-year-old company: James Maynard (Silver, 1987), Ted Fowler (Gold, 2003, and this year’s Legends Award honoree), and Lance Trenary (Gold, 2022). Beverly Lynch, Vice President of Food and Beverage for the buffet concept, won a Silver Plate in 2019.
From left to right: James Maynard, Ted Fowler, Beverly Lynch, Lance Trenary
The Cathy family’s Chick-fil-A has been honored twice, starting with founder Truett Cathy (Silver, 1988) and then President James Collins (Silver, 1977).
From left to right: Truett Cathy and James Collins
Neither Darden Restaurants nor its predecessor company, General Mills Restaurant Group, were family operated, but the corporation rivals Marriott in the number of plate winners it’s bagged. In addition to Thad Eure, Jr., the winners from the casual-dining specialist have included four Gold Plate honorees: Joe Lee (1988), Ron Magruder (for Olive Garden, 1993), and Gene Lee (2018). Clarence Otis won a Silver Plate in 2012.
From left to right: Thad Eure Jr., Joe Lee, Ron Magruder, Gene Lee, and Clarence Otis
And how many of the prizes have been won by the industry’s biggest player by far, longtime sales leader McDonald’s? Only once has Big Mac taken home a plate, a Silver, awarded in 2009 to then-CEO Jim Skinner.
For the complete list of past Silver and Gold Plate winners, click here . For information on attending this year’s awards gala, the industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, go here .
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.