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Committed to Quality
Our Story
Doing Seafood Better Since 2014
You shouldn't need a white tablecloth to get fresh, delicious seafood. In fact, we think it tastes a lot better when it's prepared fast and served hot off the grill by our crew, always with our blue bandanas and a smile. We're here to bring seafood to the masses - with a dash of creativity, a whole lot of love, a squeeze of lemon, and not an ounce of pretentiousness. Your food is coming in a brown bag, and we're pretty sure there's no better way to enjoy it.
From our classic Salmon Powerbox to our Crispy Cod Tacos (and everything in between!), we use fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, flown in from around the world every day. Whether you prefer to relax on the patio with a house-made cocktail or grab a healthy meal to go between meetings, you can always count on us.
Our Mission
Delicious. Friendly. Responsible.
Delicious. Every bite should delight you - and that takes a lot of care and effort. It takes premium ingredients and fresh seafood flown in daily. It takes veggies, soups and sauces made from scratch in every restaurant, every morning. It takes creative, rotating menu items developed by our own passionate crew members. But for all it takes, it gives much more - an unforgettable experience for our guests.
Friendly. It’s not enough to serve great food. We strive to leave our guests happier than when they came in. We want to know your name and your go-to order, sure, but also your interests and weekend plans. We want you to feel at home in our restaurants, whether you're popping in for a minute to pick up an online order or bringing the whole family for dinner. It's why we've ditched the traditional white tablecloths and black ties of the seafood experience for blue bandanas and brown t-shirts, traded leather-bound menus for DIY menu cards and scrapped scripted wait staff for our genuine, personable crew. If we're doing our jobs right, we're not only making great food, but making great friends as well.
Responsible. Just as we strive to leave our guests happier than they were when they came in, the same is true of how we aim to treat the environment around us. That’s why we only source seafood approved by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch, and do our part to prevent species from becoming underpopulated and harmful fishing practices from being employed. It’s also why we rely on wind energy to power our restaurants, create menu items that help achieve near-zero food waste, invest in energy-efficient kitchen equipment and use fully biodegradable packaging products (as minimally as possible). Of course, there’s a cost to being responsible. It’s one we’re more than happy to bear.
Our Team
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Donna Lee
Founder & CEO
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
About May 2011 - 3 years before we opened for business!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox, with a little bit of tartar sauce in the corner.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Creating new things and watching them come to life. Optimizing what we already do. Hanging out and collaborating with a bunch of hilarious, quirky and committed people.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Evanston, IL | Eating in the bath. | My besties and my bro.
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Zach Flanzman
President & COO
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2017.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens and Grains with garlic bread.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Debating tough questions, thinking about the future, and seeing results in action. With a quick break to work Expo during lunch.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Scotch Plains, NJ | Chili's Bottomless Chips & Salsa | Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Alexander Hamilton.
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Chrissie Ingolia
Director of Operations
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2016.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Curry Fish Cakes Greens & Grains (gotta have the creamy ginger!).
What's your favorite part of your job?
Optimizing our guests' experience and participating in the collaboration as I watch other ideas come to life. Watching a crew member learning something new and seeing their pure joy and excitement is pretty cool too!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Davenport, IA | Pasta, a glass of red wine, and a rom com. | Derek Jeter, Anthony Bourdain, Joanna Gaines.
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Jess Dietrich
Director of Talent
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
May 2020.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains with Lime-Cilantro Slaw.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The people and the culture, definitely. It’s incredible to see individuals grow within the organization and how everyone works well together.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Mount Prospect, IL | Watching 90 Day Fiancé on TLC | Michael Jordan, Freddy Mercury, Ryan Reynolds & Kathleen Zellner.
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Sidney Jankauskas
Director of Revenue
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains with Supergreen Garlic & Herb sauce.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Putting myself in the shoes of our guests and constantly learning from and having fun with our crew.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Naperville, IL | True crime podcasts and leftovers for breakfast. | Amelia Earhart, Bad Bunny, Meryl Streep.
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Melissa Powell
Catering Sales Coordinator
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2018.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Salad with garlic bread.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Honestly, talking about Brown Bag! It surprises me when I meet someone who hasn't come by one of our locations! Our food is absolutely delicious, sustainable and delightfully tasty!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Port Jarvis, NY | Drumstick ice cream cones. | My sisters and my dad.
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Kath Cole
Area Manager, Chicago
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2019.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The incredible teamwork, support from leadership, and all the small, but important details that make it fun!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Allegan, MI | Coffee | My amazing dad, John Cole.
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Ana Mendiola
Area Manager, Chicago
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Shrimp Veggiebox with Lime-Cilantro Slaw.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Making meals side by side with my favorite people.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | The Texas Flower from Texas Corral. | Selena Gomez, Michelle Obama, my kiddies (and since my kids will be there, we can add Spiderman!).
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Jheanelle White
Area Manager, Atlanta
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2019.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Panko Chicken on a New England roll with LA Tang Slaw and Boss Sauce. Boom!
What's your favorite part of your job?
The comfortable work atmosphere; everyone can be themselves while working towards our overall goal as a company.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Portmore, Jamaica | Binging TV shows. | Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, and my aunt (RIP Auntie Kayon).
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Kayla Jones
Area Manager, Charlotte
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Fish & Chips.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The teamwork environment.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Atlanta, GA | Pasta | All of my close friends who live out of state! It's been 5-15 years since I've seen some of them. It would be cool to have them all in the same room.
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Omar Nadeem
General Manager, Lakeshore East
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Tuna Sandwich with crispy onions.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Our goofy team!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Parkersburg, VA. | Watching the Lord of the Rings extended versions more often than one person should. | Walder Frey, because he seems like he knows how to party.
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Billi Suttles
General Manager, Roscoe Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2020.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Seeing first-timers enjoy their food!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
St. Louis, MO (Go Cards!) | Food. Always good food. | My son and my twin daughters.
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Franklin Piazza
General Manager, Riverside
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2015.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Crispy Shrimp Tacos.
What's your favorite part of your job?
How eager everyone is to teach others and pass on knowledge about cooking and recipes.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Playing video games. | Banksy, Kurt Vonnegut, Anthony Bourdain.
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Donesha Fox
General Manager, River North
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2017.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Our Seasonal Spicy Shrimp Gumbo from winter 2018!
What's your favorite part of your job?
The interactions with the guests and the team! We get to be up close and personal with guests and also build a bond that brings us close as a team. I love it!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Singing my heart out while driving! | Martin Luther King, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur (3 different ways to master peace!).
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Shawanda Alexander
General Manager, Willis Tower
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2018.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Mahi-Mahi Sandwich.
What's your favorite part of your job?
My team.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Strawberry ice cream | Ellen, The Obamas, P!nk.
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Terreon Williams
General Manager, Lincoln Park
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Strips.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The environment and working with the team to defeat challenges each day.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | 90s R&B music...it's different. | Family, friends, Kevin Hart and Mike Epps. Never too much humor in one room.
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Dee Shepherd
General Manager, Gold Coast
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2019.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The staff!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Chips | LSC & J-Lo..
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Nakendra Currie
General Manager, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Spicy Sesame Cauliflower.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Seeing my crew grow and become more confident in their abilities.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
San Diego, CA | I love collecting pens from businesses, libraries, banks, etc. | Beyoncé, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2pac.
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Dion Webb
General Manager, Midtown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2019.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Because I'm a little extra...a Grilled Chicken sando using the lobster roll bun with sauteed pickled red onions and chipotle-tartar.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with our guests! We have so many interesting people come through our doors and I love hearing how much they love our food...not to mention I can get a quick dance move out!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Playing my game. | Lil Uzi Vert, Seth Rogen, Monkey D. Luffy.
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Lowla Allen
General Manager, Westside Provisions
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Powerbox with Veggie Blend, blackened.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Cleaning and prepping!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Columbus, OH | Infusions Cooking. | Dr. Dre., Chris Brown, Vin Diesel.
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Rose Norberg
General Manager, Perimeter
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2020.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Lobster Roll.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Howe we all work together to get things done!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Elkhart, IN | Pizza | My daughter.
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Jaliaha Gathers
General Manager, Birkdale Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains with Truffle-Parm Tots and Buttermilk Ranch.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Getting the chance to meet and work with GREAT people, learning something new every single day, and being able to create some really tasty foods for our amazing guests!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Eutawville, SC | Rewatching any Marvel movie and eating something sweet before bed. | Literally EVERYONE - Chef Gordon Ramsay, Chef Anne Burnell, NE-YO, Bruno Mars, Yolanda Gampp, everyone in the MCU movies & The Office, and the WHOLE Gathers crew!
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Nikki Jones
General Manager, South End
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
I love all the food but my favorites are the Lobster Roll and Grilled Shrimp Powerbox.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Putting smiles on our guests' faces and working with my team as we develop and help one another excel.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Linden, TN | Strawberry cheesecake. | Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Ellen Degeneres, Mary J. Blige and Donesha Fox (my trainer!).
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Sycine Riggins
General Manager, Uptown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
November 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Being able to put a smile on the teams' and guests' faces!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Brooklyn, NY | Any show with characters with superpowers | Ciara - she's an amazing dancer and seems like someone to have fun with!
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Stephen Troost
General Manager
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Panko Chicken Sando.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Building and cross-training a great team to keep our guests coming!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Villa Park, IL | Chocolate Milk. I can drink a gallon a day if I wanted to. | Rivers Cuomo, Warren Zevon, and Dave Grohl.
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Morgan Tolbert
#2, Lakeshore East
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Definitely a Curry Fish Cakes Greens & Grains with a Mini Chowdah!
What's your favorite part of your job?
My team! It's such a great and joyous environment. We all love what we do and love spreading that joy to our guests.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Binge watching 90 Day Fiancé. | Naomi Campbell and my 4 siblings. Ain't no party like a Tolbert party.
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Rooney Harp
#2, Roscoe Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2024.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Shrimp Greens & Grains with Sesame-Soy Sriracha.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Building relationships with customers and the team.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Benton, AR | Love Is Blind | Leslie Jones
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Theodore Lipari
#2, Roscoe Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2024.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Chowdah all day every day!
What's your favorite part of your job?
The team! (The food goes without saying.)
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Kent, England | Just keep chocolate away from me. | Oh man, a lot of jazz musicians. From Wes Montgomery to Herbie Hancock, from Casiopea to Luiz Bonfá, from Animals as Leaders to Eberhard Weber, everyone’s invited! I don’t have enough time or space to list everyone!
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KD Martin
#2, River North
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
May 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains, and top it off with a fresh Gingerade. Super delicious!
What's your favorite part of your job?
Working with the team, Expo, Fry and Assembly stations, guiding the team in the right direction, talking on Slack with the Brown Bag squad, making sure our guests are happy...pretty much everything!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Jackson, MS and Chicago, IL | Making people happy and eating gummy bears or worms right before I go to bed! | My husband and kids (party of 6!).
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Jose Sanchez
#2, Riverside
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
October 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Veggiebox.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The staff and the enviroment!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Spirit Animal? | Dinner Party Guests?
Providence, RI | Panther | My son.
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Johnny Ramirez
#2, Willis Tower
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2021.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Lake Superior Whitefish Greens & Grains with a little extra lemon vinaigrette and a side of Spicy Cauliflower!
What's your favorite part of your job?
Lots to choose from. Having a good and supportive team and having fun while we put smiles on our guests' faces by the time they walk out of the restaurant!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Spirit Animal? | Dinner Party Guests?
Warsaw, IN | A bird, any bird! | Jennifer Lopez, Tiffany Haddish, Alyssa Edwards and my best friends!
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Ambrielle Golden
#2, Gold Coast
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Classic Tots and a side of our delicious Buttermilk Ranch.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the reactions of first-timers.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Indulging in chips and reality TV | Mom, Drake, and Whitney Houston.
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Xin Qi
#2, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains with Lobster Sauce.
What's your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy the teamwork, laughing together and providing great customer service and seeing our guests come back.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Beijing, China | Rewarding myself with a piece of chocolate cake, even though it doesn't align with my healthy eating plan | Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Kobe Bryant
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Aubrey Murray
#2, Westside Provisions
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2023.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Chowdah with Tots, or our seasonal Pepperjack Shrimp & Grits.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with guests and just being around the Brown Bag family. Finding ways to grow and bond is important and I look forward to every day with my team!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Atlanta, GA | My sweet tooth! Must haves are my Reese's and Oreos | Eddie Murphy, Prince and Donna Lee
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Donte' Harvey
#2, Midtown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
May 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
I love me a bowl of chowdah with a side of tots marinated in sesame-soy sriracha.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Inspiring my team and watching them grow and being inspired by them. I have the dopest team in the company.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Atlanta, GA | Butter Pecan Ice Cream and Red Rock Gingerale | Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Stacey Abrams, Mike Tyson and Katt Williams.
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Terry Morrison
#2, Perimeter
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
The Lobster Roll.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with our guests and making sure their experiences are positive and memorable.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Royston, GA | Pasta | Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Fantasia, Leandria Johnson, Kelonte Gavin.
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Matayis Smith
#2, Birkdale Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2022.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains!!
What's your favorite part of your job?
Bring TRUE to myself and making my team happy because I love them dearly. Keeping smiles on their faces keeps me going!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Augusta, GA | MUSIC ALL DAY EVERYDAY! | My BB crew and my friends and family!
Press
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The 40/40 List: America's Hottest Startup Fast Casuals
February 1, 2018
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Donna Lee Wins Food Network's Chopped
January 3, 2023
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Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40: Donna Lee
January 3, 2023
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StarChefs Names 19 New Culinary Rising Stars
January 3, 2023
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America's Best New Fast Casual Chains
March 30, 2018
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Brown Bag Seafood Co. is a Catch
April 3, 2020
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QSR Magazine's Uncut Podcast
April 3, 2020
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5 Ways to Retain Restaurant Employees with a Culture of Caring
February 28, 2022
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Chicago-based Brown Bag Seafood Co. opens three locations in Charlotte area
January 24, 2023
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Brown Bag Seafood Co. Swimming Into Charlotte
January 3, 2023
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Brown Bag Seafood Co. opens its third restaurant in Charlotte market
January 3, 2023
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Fast-casual Seafood Restaurant Makes a Splash in South End
January 3, 2023
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Best Atlanta Takeout: Brown Bag Seafood
January 3, 2023
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Battle of the Bowls: How Atlanta’s Fast-casual Restaurants Stack Up
January 3, 2023
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The 10 Most Anticipated Atlanta Restaurant Openings of Fall
January 3, 2023
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Brown Bag Seafood Co. Kicks Expansion Into Gear
January 3, 2023