Biography

Michael Portillo has more than four decades of restaurant industry experience, including 35 years with Portillo's. The son of founder Dick Portillo, Michael's first job in the restaurants included washing dishes, taking out garbage and placing coupons on car windows. In fact, if he wasn't in school or playing sports while growing up, he was working at Portillo's. To expand his experience, Michael worked every station and every shift as a team member, eventually managing his first shift when he was 17 years old.

Michael branched out on his own in 1999, opening four restaurants over a five-year period. But he couldn't stay away for long. Michael rejoined Portillo's in 2005 as the Director of Training, where he was responsible for manager and team member training, including at the first California restaurant. He also held the VP, Training and Development role before taking on his latest position of VP, Restaurant Support. In this role, Michael enables Portillo's growth by cultivating culture and operations through new restaurant openings, innovation and team member experience, supporting training, culinary and more. Michael is also the vice chair of the Heart of Portillo's Fund, a 501(c)3 Portillo's created to support team members in need.

Michael currently resides in Chicagoland with his wife, Gina – the maker of what was then called "Gina Portillo's Soon-to-be-Famous Chocolate Cake." His high school sweetheart, he and Gina married in 1981, the same year he became a Portillo's manager. They now have three daughters and three grandchildren.

Favorite Portillo's Menu Item: Chocolate cake, naturally!