Brinker International CEO Kevin Hochman is named RB's 2025 Restaurant Leader of the Year

Kevin Hochman, CEO and president of Chili’s and Maggiano’s parent Brinker International, has been named Restaurant Business’ Restaurant Leader of the Year for 2025.

His selection reflects the outstanding performance of Chili’s since Hochman became CEO in June 2022 and was tasked with revitalizing the 1,573-unit bar-and-grill chain. Since then, he has overseen significant strategic changes at Chili’s, including simplified operations, menu improvements, a return to television advertising and the launch of the popular 3 for Me value meal.

In 2024, these moves propelled Dallas-based Chili’s to some of the best sales growth in its nearly 50-year history. In its two most recent quarters, Chili’s same-store sales rose 14.8% and 14.1%. It has reported 15 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, tied with Texas Roadhouse for the longest streak in casual dining.

Chili’s performance has been especially notable given the dismal environment for full-service restaurants during Hochman’s tenure. Last quarter, same-store sales growth among publicly traded casual-dining chains was just 0.04%. At Applebee’s and Red Robin, two key Chili’s competitors, it was negative 5.9% and plus 0.6%, respectively.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named Restaurant Leader of the Year,” Hochman said in a statement. “While this is an individual award, I want to recognize our 65,000+ team members whose ideas and passion have made Chili’s fun & successful again. Their work has returned Chili’s to its place as a leader in the industry. It’s been an honor to be a part of this team, and I will celebrate this award with all of them.”

Before joining Brinker, the 51-year-old Hochman spent more than eight years at Yum Brands, starting as CMO of KFC’s U.S. business. He later became the U.S. president of Pizza Hut and then the U.S. president of KFC. His quick-service background is apparent in some of his work at Brinker, including a recent Chili's marketing campaign that took aim at fast-food prices.

Prior to his time at Yum, Hochman worked at Procter & Gamble for more than 19 years, becoming the leader of its North American cosmetics business.

Hochman is the 10th Restaurant Leader of the Year. He joins past winners Peter Cancro of Jersey Mike’s, Mark King of Taco Bell, Jose Cil of Burger King parent Restaurant Brands International, Claudia San Pedro of Sonic, Greg Creed of Yum Brands, Brian Niccol of Chipotle, Ron Schaich of Panera Bread, Greg Flynn of the mega-franchise operator Flynn Group, and Danny Meyer of Shake Shack and Union Square Hospitality Group.

Hochman is the only casual-dining leader to win the award besides Flynn, who was chosen in 2016 in part for his operation of Applebee’s restaurants.

The recipient is selected by the editors of Restaurant Business and is honored during the Restaurant Leadership Conference, the annual executive event hosted by RB parent Informa. This year’s conference will be held April 13 to 16 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, visit the RLC website.