Hinsdale Magazine | Cover Story Continued from the previous page The chapter on “California Dreaming” is the story of his first restaurant outside of Chicago. It took him out of his comfort zone… but he knew it could be successful. That’s because his booming business of shipping Portillo’s all over the country to Chicagoans who had moved away showed him that his biggest sales were in zip code 90620, Buena Park, California. Another case of seeing the obvious and making the most of it. “The Importance of Competition” chapter points out that you should never underestimate the competition and that if you are smart, you can also learn from them. “Hello, Arizona”, the chapter on his smashing opening in Scottsdale, was further proof that Portillo’s could be a national brand. “The Pillars of Success” puts the focus on “Quality”, “Service”, “Attitude”, and “Cleanliness” which are the bedrocks of Portillo’s training. This chapter describes how his son has helped instill those principles throughout the company, and how important it is to hire people who believe in those principles. It is executing that training constantly that sets Portillo’s apart and creates what Dick calls “The Portillo’s Experience”. “From the time a customer hits the front door, and senses the aromas and the hustle, to the time they leave, after enjoying a quality meal and fast service at a reasonable price, I want them to feel ‘The Portillo’s Experience’”.
more successful, professionally.
personally
and
He describes the pros and cons of selling and the decision to choose Berkshire Partners, in “The Decision to Sell” in August 2014. “Moving Forward” covers his life since the sale, and how he enjoys the fruits of his labor. He stays active in managing his own portfolio of real estate holdings. All in all, Dick is content. After all, he has accomplished a great deal. He has an enormous legacy in terms of a restaurant chain that prides itself on “The Portillo’s Experience”, that millions enjoy. He is also proud of the number of employees who have worked with him to create the experience. There is one other legacy he would like to leave. In honor of Sharon, who has been the love of his life and a pillar of strength for 62 years, but who is
THE ORIGINAL HOTDOG STAND
suffering from Type 1 Diabetes, he will continue to support the work of Dr. Jose Oberholzer, a distinguished doctor, who is coming ever closer to a cure that will help Sharon and 1.6 million others who have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. (Next to this article is an interview with the Doctor on what he is accomplishing.) ■
“Gift or Curse?” describes how his combination of great instincts with people, and a willingness to get out of his comfort zone, have been both a gift and a curse. He explains how he dealt with attention deficit syndrome by just being determined enough to overcome it, by using his skills of observation, paying attention to detail, and coming up with better solutions to everyday problems. “Only in America” is a look back at the accomplishments and the people who helped him, and who; in turn, helped themselves become 30
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A YOUNG DICK PORTILLO, ON THE RIGHT, WHEN HE WAS IN THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION, WITH A FELLOW MARINE
