Industry veteran named new president and CEO of Portillo’s

Chicago-based Portillo’s has appointed restaurant industry veteran Brett Patterson as president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 23, the company announced Thursday.

Patterson also will join the company’s board of directors.

Patterson brings extensive leadership experience across large, national restaurant brands, with a strong background in operations, team development, and driving sustainable growth, according to a news release.

“Brett has all the right qualities to lead Portillo’s into its next chapter of growth,” said Portillo’s board Chairman Michael A. Miles, Jr. “He brings the strategic mindset, operations expertise, and leadership style needed to grow this brand, while preserving what makes Portillo’s so special and unique. Having worked his way up through the ranks and served in virtually every operational role within a restaurant, he understands the business from the ground up and the people who make it a success every day.”

In his role, Patterson will be responsible for leading the company’s overall strategy, with a focus on market positioning, new restaurant growth, and operational excellence.

“I am incredibly excited and honored to join Portillo’s,” Patterson said. “This is a tremendous brand with a powerful culture, an incredibly passionate fan base, a long runway for growth, and a team that truly cares about delivering great experiences. From the moment I stepped into Portillo’s, I recognized that it was a special brand with great food and truly dedicated teams. It’s clear this is a people-first organization where passion runs deep.”

Portillo’s has grown from a small hot dog trailer in Chicago to more than 100 restaurants across 11 states. The fast-casual restaurant is known for its Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, charbroiled burgers and chocolate cake.