It all started with R.J. Grunts and a new concept in 1971 -- a hip restaurant for singles with a self-serve, all-you-can-eat salad bar. Now, Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises employs about 7,000 people in various restaurants, including Everest, Tru, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, Big Bowl, Foodlife, L. Woods, Maggiano's Little Italy, Mon Ami Gabi, Petterino's, Shaw's Crab House, Wildfire, Wow Bao, and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab -- just to name a few. Now, the most prestigious nonprofit organization in the culinary world, The James Beard Foundation, is honoring Melman with a Lifetime Achievement Award. We talk with Melman about the secrets behind his success and what's next for him and Lettuce Entertain You.

• Read a press release from the James Beard Foundation about the honor

View a slideshow below and see a video about Intro Chicago, the newest restaurant added to the Lettuce Entertain You family.

-- Photos by Anjali Pinto