Out of the Dog House by Dick Portillo

Author:Dick Portillo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triumph Books
Published: 2018-09-24T05:12:08+00:00

10. The Roaring ’80s and ’90s

A lot happened during the roaring 1980s and 1990s in Chicago, from the Bears winning Super Bowl XX in 1986 to the Chicago Bulls capturing their sixth NBA championship in eight years in 1998.

It also was a great time for Portillo’s.

When I saw that my ideas were working in my restaurants, my excitement grew. The feel, smell, look and sounds of the Portillo’s experience resonated with customers. From our large-theme buildings to the way I built the line to enhance the view of food preparation and the unique sound when the salads are tossed in front the customers, everything we did just seemed to click.

We enjoyed our largest period of growth during the ’80s and ’90s as 17 restaurants opened, including our first store in downtown Chicago at the intersection of Clark and Ontario streets. At the end of 1999, there were 22 restaurants that generated millions of dollars a year in profit. Considering I opened seven restaurants (that includes The Dog House trailer) from our inception in 1963 to our Northlake location in 1976, the next two decades were simply incredible. These are some of our highlights from the years that served as such an important catalyst for Portillo’s:

In 1983, the first Portillo’s drive-thru opened in Downers Grove. Almost immediately we became known for our speedy drive-thru service. I started the use of placing order-takers outside with headsets. This allowed orders to get into the kitchen more quickly and kept the lines moving at a faster clip.

In 1985, I was featured in Forbes magazine as an “Up and Comer” for leading Portillo’s to success in the Chicagoland area.

In 1987, I opened a second restaurant under the name Barney’s that specialized in BBQ.

Also in 1987 I was the recipient of the Chicago Food Service Marketing Club Hall of Fame Award.

By 1988, Portillo’s was the largest hot dog chain in the Chicago area. There were more than 2,200 hot dog stands in Chicago in the late 1980s—more than Wendy’s, Burger King and McDonald’s combined in that area, according to Jim Bodman, Chairman and CEO of Vienna Beef.

In 1991 I was awarded Executive of the Year by the Chicago Alumni Club College of Business Administration at Southern Illinois University.

In 1993, the Barnelli’s Pasta Bowl concept was introduced inside an existing Portillo’s restaurant. The concept features a variety of pastas with homemade sauces, gourmet salads and hand-made sandwiches.

In 1994, after years of repeated requests from fans, Portillo’s opened in Chicago at the intersection of Clark and Ontario streets. Many of the items inside the two-story store were purchased from the original Chicago Stadium, including the original Chicago Blackhawks 1938 Stanley Cup banner.

Also in 1994, I was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. magazine.

In 1995, I opened Key Wester Fish & Pasta House, a Florida Key–themed restaurant, in Naples, Florida.

In 1996, I expanded Key Wester Fish & Pasta House in Naperville, Illinois.

Also in 1996 I was awarded the Food Industry News’ Restaurateur of the Year Award

In 1999, Portillo’s Home Kitchen Catering begins.

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