R.j. Melman

R.J. Melman is the President of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a family-owned restaurant group with more than 110 restaurants and 60 unique concepts nationwide. Since joining the company full time in 2001, he has held numerous positions within Lettuce, as well as consulting on restaurant projects outside of the company.

R.J., alongside his siblings Jerrod and Molly Melman, created and opened more than 13 concepts, beginning in June 2008 with HUB 51 and SUB 51. Their roster of restaurants now includes RPM Italian, RPM Steak, Three Dots and a Dash, Ramen-san, Sushi-san, Bub City, Joe’s Live, Stella Barra Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Summer House Santa Monica, il Porcellino, Pizzeria Portofino, RPM Events and RPM Seafood.

In 2019, R.J. and his partners introduced a multi-concept restaurant and private event space on the Chicago Riverfront, which includes Pizzeria Portofino, RPM Events and RPM Seafood, which opened in January 2020. One of his goals is to expand the Lettuce brand to new and exciting markets, opening Aba in Austin, TX in 2021 and opening the first Lettuce restaurant in Florida in 2022 with Aba in Miami at Bal Harbour Shops.

R.J. graduated from the University of Kansas and resides in Chicago with his wife Kate and son William. He is active within the Chicago philanthropic and business communities and is proud to be an Executive Committee Member of the YPO Chicago Chapter as well as a Past Chapter Chair. He has also previously served on a number of Boards, including the Board of Directors for Del Taco Restaurants.