Gerard Centioli
Senior VP of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Gerard Vincent Centioli is the President & CEO of ICON INC (ICON) and Executive Partner of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. and Co-Head of Lettuce Consulting LLC.
Centioli was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and is a second-generation restaurateur. After receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with majors in public accounting and marketing from Gonzaga University in Washington, Centioli joined Gil’s Enterprises, Inc.
Gil’s Enterprises, Inc. merged into Collins Food International, Inc. (NYSE: CF) in July 1983 at which time Centioli was named Regional Vice President of the KFC Division of CF. In March 1984, he was named Vice President of Administration of the KFC Division of CF. His affiliation with Lettuce began in 1984, through a joint venture with CF to develop the Ed Debevic’s concept. He was then named President and CEO of Ed Debevic’s, Inc. in 1988. As the 7th member of the Lettuce Executive Committee in 1993 he oversaw several of Lettuce’s brands as CEO including Maggiano’s / Corner Bakery.
Maggiano’s and Corner Bakery were preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the company’s stock in 1995. In anticipation of the IPO, the individual Maggiano’s and Corner Bakery entities were merged into a single corporation - Maggiano’s / Corner Bakery, Inc. and Centioli was named President and CEO. Maggiano’s / Corner Bakery, Inc. ultimately merged into Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) in August 1995. Centioli was named Senior Vice President of EAT and President and CEO of the Maggiano’s / Corner Bakery Division. In October 1995 he was elected to the Board of Directors of EAT. In January 1996 EAT formed the Italian Concepts Division which included Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Maggiano’s Little Italy and Corner Bakery, at which time Centioli was named President and CEO of the Division. While under Centioli’s direction, Romano’s Macaroni Grill grew from 62 to 94 units, Maggiano’s Little Italy grew from inception to 10 units and the Corner Bakery grew from inception to 42 units. In April 1997 EAT formed the Emerging Concepts Division and named Centioli President and CEO. The Emerging Concepts Division was comprised of Maggiano’s Little Italy, Corner Bakery, Big Bowl and Wildfire.
On March 8, 1999, Gerard Centioli, Richard Melman and Michael Fox founded ICON LLC. ICON was formed to establish partnerships with bona fide icons for the expressed purpose of multi-unit development.
The first ICON partnership was established with Joe’s Stone Crab, Inc. In 1999, ICON and the Weiss Family formed Joe’s Stone Crab Development Company to develop the brand beyond Miami and guest can now enjoy Joe's Seafood in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Las Vegas.
The second ICON partnership was established with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. [NYSE: KKD]. In 2000, ICON and KKD formed KremeWorks LLC to develop the brand in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii and British Columbia. KremeWorks developed a dozen and operates ten Krispy Kreme Doughnuts & Coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
The third ICON partnership was established with PICK-QUICK Drive In, Inc. In 2007, ICON founder Gerard Centioli and Joe Burgi formed PICK-QUICK Development Company LLC to develop the concept beyond Fife. The first ICONcept, the PICK-QUICK Drive In Flagship, broke ground in Auburn, Washington on September 27, 2010.
ICON entered into a consulting relationship with The Musso & Frank Grill on October 20, 2009. After ten (10) years, and the one-hundredth (100th) Anniversary of The Musso & Frank Grill on September 27, 2019, ICON Founder Gerard Centioli and the Echeverria, Jones and Kohlmeyer families are considering prospective locations for their first ICONcept.
The fifth ICON partnership was established with Gene & Georgetti of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago’s oldest steakhouse was opened by Gene Michelotti and Alfredo “Georgetti” Federighi in 1941. In 2021 ICON and the Durpetti family formed Gene & Georgetti Development Company LLC to develop the brand beyond Chicago.
Centioli is married to Anne Jenkins and they reside in Edmonds, Washington. Centioli has a passion for college football that he acquired attending University of Washington games with his father Gill, a season ticket holder since 1951. He is now a University of Washington and University of Notre Dame season ticket holder and attends games with his children and grandchildren. Centioli also enjoys celebrating his children’s avocations by flying with his son Lauren Vincent, a pilot and attending opera with his daughter Cicilia Rose, an opera singer.
Additional Accolades:
Centioli was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) from 1989 – 2004 and served as an officer of the Chicago Chapter from 1994 - 1996.
Crain’s Chicago Business named Centioli one of the 40 Players Under 40 in 1994. Nation’s Restaurant News named Centioli one of the Top 50 New Players in 1997.
Centioli was elected to the Board of Regents of Gonzaga University in April 1999 where he continues to serve.
In June 1999, Centioli was elected to the Board of Directors of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. where he continues to serve and Chair the Strategic Planning Committee.
Centioli was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Italian American Foundation in March 2000 and was reelected in June 2021.
In March 2002, Centioli was elected to the Board of Directors of the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) where he served as Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee.
Centioli was elected to the Board of Directors of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce – Pacific Northwest in January 2011.
In September 2012, Festa Italiana presented him the Gill A. Centioli Memorial Award.
