Matt Whittaker

Partner

Matt Whittaker is a Partner with Lettuce Entertain You, overseeing the several fast casual restaurants on Chicago’s Navy Pier, Water Tower Place, and three M Burger locations.

Matt grew up in Western Springs, IL and enjoyed dining out at a very young age. He was first introduced to Lettuce through its many restaurants in the Oakbrook Mall.

After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a business degree, Matt took a position as a server at Tucci Benucch in the 900 Building in Chicago on Michigan Avenue. It wasn’t long before he started his management career at Tucci Benucch. Matt then went to L Woods Tap and Pine Lodge as a manager before coming back downtown to become a member of the opening management team of Frankie’s Scaloppine and Frankie’s Pizzeria. Matt was promoted to the General Manager of Frankie’s in 2010.

In 2015, Lettuce opened two restaurants on the newly renovated Navy Pier including Frankie’s by the Slice and Big Bowl. Shortly after opening, Matt took over as General Manager and helped open two more restaurants at Navy Pier: Big City Chicken and Ozzie’s Pops and Pretzels on Navy Pier. In 2021, he took on additional responsibilities overseeing the restaurants at Water Tower Place on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile including Frankie’s Slice Shop, Sacred Grounds as well as reopening Do Rite Donuts. In his current role, Matt focuses on both front of house and back of house operations, hiring, employee development and training for several fast casual concepts throughout the Lettuce family.

Matt and his wife Courtney reside in Western Springs and have two boys, Donovan and Ryan. If Matt isn’t with his family or at work chances are you can find him on a golf course.