RON SALISBURY
OWNER, EL CHOLO RESTAURANTS
WHY: Operates seven locations of LA’s third oldest Mexican restaurant; still runs family-owned business after 60+ years; also owns The Cannery and Louie’s by the Bay in Newport Beach.
IN THE NEWS: Opened first out-of-state branch of El Cholo in Utah in late 2023, a 9,000-square-foot space in region of Salt Lake City. Also fundraised $1M for pediatric cancer research.
NOTABLE: Oversees 100-year-old business founded by his grandparents in 1923 and going on sixth generation. Business Journal’s 2023 Restaurateur of the Year; Won Longevity Award at 2023 Family-Owned Business Awards, then was keynote speaker at 2024 edition.
QUOTABLE: “I view our restaurants as a continuation of education for people who want to play a role with us for the next 100 years.”
