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In an industry where 85 percent of new restaurants fail within the first year of service, Stillman's four-decade track record is a recipe for success. Stillman, the 2002 recipient of Nation's Restaurant News Pioneer Award, is not only the chairman and CEO of The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group Inc., but is also the founder. The cosmetic salesman-turned-unconventional entrepreneur began his restaurant career in 1965 on a shoestring when he leveraged a $5,000 loan from his mother to launch the first T.G.I. Friday's in Manhattan.
In 1977, Stillman jump-started a luxury line of eateries, now recognized as The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc., when he founded the celebrated New York steakhouse called Smith & Wollensky. Stillman stands as one of the top restaurateurs of his time and continues to drive each of his new restaurant concepts. Whether it is on the road scouting for inspiration and artwork for existing and new restaurant locations or in the kitchen planning menus with his top-flight culinary staff, the native New Yorker rolls up his sleeves in all areas of the restaurant group's operations.
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