The Chairman of the Board
Grant DePorter, CEO, Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group
Grant DePorter brings over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He literally grew up in the hospitality industry. His late father, Don, was a Hyatt regional vice-president based out of Chicago’s largest hotel, the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Grant lived and worked in that hotel for much of his early life. He received a BS degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and an MBA from Duke University. Under Grant’s leadership, Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group (HCRG) has grown from one restaurant to six restaurants and an off-premise catering company. HCRG opened its first restaurant, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in 1987. The restaurant has since become a Chicago legend, and now offers additional locations in Rosemont and Lombard. Also located in Lombard, adjacent to Harry Caray’s, is Holy Mackerel!, HCRG’s fresh seafood concept. HCRG recently opened Harry Caray’s Tavern, a more casual version of the original Harry Caray’s, at Navy Pier in March 2010.
HCRG consistently ranks as one of the Top 75 Multiconcept Operators in the Country. Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, HCRG’s flagship, has been voted “Best Steakhouse in Chicago” by the Chicago Tribune, Citysearch and Metromix on CLTV, designated “an eternal hotspot” by Chicago Magazine, and ranked by Restaurants and Institutions Magazine among the top 100 independent restaurants in the country year after year.
Grant has been a member of GNMAA since 1993 and has served on the Board of Directors since 1996. He was elected to the Executive Committee a year later followed by co-chairing The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris in 1998 and 1999. He also dedicated many years as the Marketing Division Co-Chair and has been instrumental on the Administration, Advocacy, Branding, and Gala Committees.
Grant works tirelessly on behalf of many other civic and charitable organizations at the local and state level. He has served as Chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Tourism Alliance, Chicago’s Gateway Green Committee. He continues to serve on these boards along with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and Quantum Learning. In October 2010 Grant received the distinguished Gerald J. Roper Business Professional of the Year Award.
Grant is the author of Hoodoo: Unraveling the 100 Year Mystery of the Chicago Cubs, an entertaining account of the events contributing to Cubs unprecedented World Series drought.
Grant has been married to his wife Joanna for 23 years and they are proud parents of their twin daughters Hannah and Margo.
