Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Ingram. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Brian has done it all with over 30 years in the restaurant industry. From creating new brands to setting trends to innovating the world of restaurant design, he brings his unique skill set to every aspect of his collection of restaurants. But creativity is his specialty. As a senior member of some of the most prominent hospitality groups in the country—MGM Resorts International, Brinker International, Restaurants Unlimited, and the Alain Ducasse Group—Brian created concepts across the country. In 2012, Brian created New Bohemia—a concept focused on craft beer and cocktails with a chef-driven menu and took it directly to the top as the winner of 2017 Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concepts. Since then, New Bohemia has set industry standards with new labor models and profitability, changing the industry and how we look at fast-casual restaurants today. Before opening Hope Breakfast Bar in 2019, Brian knew his first restaurant as an owner would be a departure from the corporate restaurant settings in which he had built his career. His newest venture with his wife, Sarah, promised to be a team that emphasizes charitable contributions and cultivates a culture that prioritizes the well-being of workers. It would be a fast-growing family of restaurants driven by its promise and purpose to serve the community. Purpose Driven Restaurants was formed in 2019 as an act of good faith by the Ingram family. It has weathered a pandemic, fed healthcare workers, protesters, and the unemployed, served as a free community kitchen and food bank, and established a non-profit (Give Hope) to benefit restaurant workers in the Twin Cities metro area. Since 2019, Give Hope has donated 300,000 free meals and 2 million pounds of food and gifted $225,000.00 in relief grants to local families in need.
Chef Brian Ingram
Founder & Owner Purpose Driven Restaurants
2017 Hottest Concept in the Country
2018 Best Restaurant Design
2018 NRN Power List Top 50 Most Influential People In Food
Service
2019 Nations Restaurant News Advisory Board MUFSO
2019 Iron Fork Winner
2019 Best Restaurant
Design
2019 Eater Awards Best New Restaurant Best Design
2020 Nations Restaurant News Most Influential Restaurant Executives
2020 Created the future of the food economy
2021 Children’s Minnesota Hospital Board Member
2023 Entrepreneur Magazine
2023 Forbes Magazine
2023 Fortune Magazine
Food Network
2018 Carnival Eats
2018 Outrageous Foods
2018 Guys Grocery Games
2022 Guys Ranch Justin Sutherland Give Back
2023 Throw Down with Bobby Flay
Travel Channel
2018 Man Vs. Food
2018 Food Paradise
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have had tremendous obstacles, from the struggles of an independent restauranter finding financing to guarantying leases. The city of Minneapolis was hit hard not just by the pandemic but the murder of George Floyd.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
-We are known for our work with our foundation. Give Hope Generosity isn’t giving what’s left over.
-Generosity is giving the first bite.
-Generosity is giving when it’s uncomfortable
-Generosity does not start once you “have it all.”
-Generosity is born within our struggle.
-Generosity becomes alive when we decide to give regardless of our struggle.
Brian & Sarah Ingram
Founders Purpose Restaurants
Mission: Helping other people daily to help our community & world in times of crisis through direct funding to needy families. Assisting our community with direct service of food & supplies whenever food insecurities arise. To help hospitality workers in crisis, from housing to chemical dependency needs and services. Direct outreach for community programs.
Food Shelves
Community Kitchens
Mobile Food Outreach
Community Crisis Relief
Hospitality Crisis Relief
Housing
Chemical Dependency
Mental Illness
Community Outreach Programs, Social Justice
We have served over half a million free meals to families in need. We have given out over 2 million pounds of groceries and supplies. We have raised over 1 million dollars for local charities through our Charity Chef dinners. We were in Turkey days after the devastating earthquakes and in Maui 24 hours after the fires, serving meals to first responders and people in need.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
People matter! We are more than a balance sheet. We are sharing a meal with people who don’t look like you and believe you can change everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purposerestaurants.com
- Instagram: ChefBrianIngram
- Facebook: ChefBrianIngram
