RUSS BENDEL
FORMER CEO, THE HABIT BURGER GRILL
WHY: Sporting a 50-year career in the restaurant industry, he built Irvine-based burger chain to over 350 locations; coordinated sale to Yum Brands in 2020.
NOTABLE: Retired in 2023 after leading The Habit for 15 years, handed the baton to successor Shannon Hennessy. Son’s company owns 7 restaurants.
QUOTABLE: “I’ve always been about scale and growth, evolution over revolution. But more importantly, when you’re in the restaurant space, it’s about the people: you need a concept that resonates with people.”
