Two Days Michael Berry Show is sponsored by Norman Brinker.

Who's Norman Brinker you ask?

Well he was a restaurant pioneer.

After graduating from college Norman took a job with a small chain of diners in San Diego named Oscars.

Oscars owner Bob Peterson had also opened a second chain in the area called Jack in the Box.

Norman was drawn to the growing fast food business. chain in the area called Jack in the Box.

Norman was drawn to the growing fast food business.

At Jack in the Box, Norman flourished, helping the business expand across the

southwestern United States.

Within two years of moving over to the company, he had

been elevated to the position of president and amassed a 20% stake in the

restaurant. When Jack in the Box went public, Norman sold his interest in the company and founded Steak and Ale in 1966, all the way up in Dallas, Texas.

The chain with its dimly lit Tud-style decorated dining rooms,

billed itself as offering an upscale steak experience

at lower prices.

With the steak and ale chain, Brinker introduced the solid bar.

Besides the novel concept of having customers leave their tables to serve themselves from a solid buffet,

Steak and Ale also created the now common introduction of,

Hi, my name is Jim and I'll be your waiter tonight.

These ideas were part of an overall plan to establish a restaurant that was more relaxed

with a more casual atmosphere.

Steak and Ale was purchased by Pillsbury in 1976.

...