brian Ingram,

Chief Executive Officer & chef

With over 30 years in the restaurant industry, Brian has done it all. From creating new brands to setting trends to innovating the world of restaurant design, he brings his unique skillset to every aspect in his collection of restaurants. But ideation is his specialty.

As a senior member of some of the biggest 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 that he had built his career in. His new 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 health care workers, protesters and the unemployed; served as a free community kitchen and food bank; established a non-profit (Give Hope) to benefit restaurant workers in the Twin Cities metro area. Since 2019, Give Hope has donated more than 300,000 free meals, 2 million pounds of food and gifted $225,000 in relief grants to local families in need.

ACCOLADES & AWARDS

• 2017 Hottest Concept in the Country New Bohemia
• 2018 Best Restaurant Design Truck Park
• 2018 NRN Power List Top 50 Most Influential People in Food Service Today
• 2019 Nations Restaurant News Advisory Board MUFSO
• 2019 Iron Fork Winner
• 2019 Best Restaurant Design Bus Stop Burgers and Brewhouse
• 2019 Eater Awards Best New Restaurant, Finalist Best Design, & Best Brunch
• 2020 Nations Restaurant News Most Influential Restaurant Executives
• 2020 CREATE the future of food economy advisory board member 
• 2021 Eater Awards Best Brunch
• 2021 Minnesota Monthly Best Brunch