Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> June 26, 2000
JOSEPH P. MICATROTTO is Chairman, President and CEO of BUCA, Inc. He
earned his MBA from Miami University in Ohio in 1975, when he had long
since decided that his future lay in the hospitality industry. Within
two years, he had developed Hall's Waffles, a three-store chain of 24-
hour family restaurants located in the southern Ohio area. In 1977 his
desire for more formal experience brought him next to Steak & Ale
Restaurants Corporation, then considered the premier restaurant company
in the nation. As a Managing Partner and General Manager, he seized that
opportunity to fine-tune his skills and gain insight into the dynamics
of a well-run organization. It was during his tenure with Chi-Chi's
restaurants, however, that his talents fully revealed themselves, rising
to become President and CEO after joining the company as a franchise
General Manager. In 1992, Mr. Micatrotto accepted the position of
President and Chief Operating Officer of Panda Management Company, Inc.,
and in 1995 was promoted to President, Chief Executive Officer. Mr.
Micatrotto's latest challenge brings him full circle. As Chairman, CEO,
and President of Buca di Beppo restaurants since July 1996, the second
generation immigrant has returned to his roots, operating and growing a
collection of southern Italian neighborhood restaurants. He has served
on numerous industry boards and is currently on the Board of Directors
of the National Restaurant Association and the American Beverage
Institute, where he served as President and co-Founder. Profile
of BUCA?
Mr. Micatrotto: BUCA began as BUCA Little Italy in Minneapolis,
Minnesota at a downtown restaurant in 1993. The
