ACG June Breakfast: TOM RYAN - HOMECOMING

In high school, Smashburger founder Tom Ryan discovered what clicked for him: chemistry. Since then, the Grand Rapids native has taken his food chemistry passion worldwide, creating some of today’s most popular foods eaten at restaurant chains.

Ryan, a 1975 West Catholic graduate, is behind the creation of Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust pizzas and pizza lovers lines; McDonald’s McGriddles and the Big ‘n Tasty, as well as its dollar menu and fruit and yogurt parfaits, and Quiznos’ steakhouse beef dip, prime rib and sammies sandwiches. 

In 2007, Ryan founded the Denver, Colorado-based Smashburger restaurants. Since launching seven years ago, the company has opened 380 restaurants in 38 states and nine countries outside the U.S., including three in metro Grand Rapids. Of those, 220 are owned and operated by Smashburger and the remaining are franchised.

In addition, Ryan serves as managing partner and chief concept officer at Consumer Capital Partners, the private equity group that financed Smashburger and other innovative food concepts created by Ryan.

ACG Western Michigan is honored to host Ryan at our first-ever "Hometown Hero" Breakfast, where he will share his "special sauce" for "double decker" growth.