Meet our team!
Want to join us? We're always looking for talented people.
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 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.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox, with a little bit of tartar sauce in the corner.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Evanston, IL | Eating in the bath | My besties and my bro
Zach Flanzman
President & COO
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2017.
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.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens and Grains with garlic bread.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Scotch Plains, NJ | Chili's Bottomless Chips & Salsa | Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Alexander Hamilton
Chrissie Ingolia
Director of Operations
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2016.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Salad, add Veggie Blend, with Supergreen Garlic & Herb.
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
Jess Dietrich
Director of Talent
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
May 2020.
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.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains with Golden Ginger Lime.
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
Kath Cole
Area Manager, Chicago
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2019.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Allegan, MI | Coffee | My amazing dad, John Cole
Jheanelle White
Area Manager, Southeast
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2019.
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.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox with Supergreen Garlic & Herb.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Portmore, Jamaica | Binging TV shows | Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, and my aunt (RIP Auntie Kayon)
Melissa Powell
Catering Coordinator
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2018.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Salad with garlic bread.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Port Jarvis, NY | Drumstick ice cream cones | My sisters and my dad
Stephen Troost
General Manager, Roscoe Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2021.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Building and cross-training a great team to keep our guests coming!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Powerbox.
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
Shawanda Alexander
General Manager, Willis Tower
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2018.
What's your favorite part of your job?
My team.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Blackened Fish Sandwich.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Strawberry ice cream | Ellen, The Obamas, P!nk
Donesha Fox
General Manager, River North
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2017.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Our Seasonal Spicy Shrimp Gumbo from winter 2018!
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!)
Omar Nadeem
General Manager, Lakeshore East
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Our goofy team!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with some corn and crispy onions on top.
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
Franklin Piazza
General Manager, Riverside
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
June 2015.
What's your favorite part of your job?
How eager everyone is to teach others and pass on knowledge about cooking and recipes.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Crispy Shrimp Tacos.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Playing video games | Banksy, Kurt Vonnegut, Anthony Bourdain
Terreon Williams
General Manager, Lincoln Park
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2021.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The environment and working with the team to defeat challenges each day.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Strips.
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
Dee Shepherd
General Manager, Gold Coast
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2019.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The staff!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Veggiebox.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Chips | LSC & J-Lo
Nakendra Currie
General Manager, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Seeing my crew grow and become more confident in their abilities.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Salmon Caesar.
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
Lowla Allen
General Manager, Westside Provisions
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2021.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Cleaning and prepping!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Powerbox with Veggie Blend, blackened.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Columbus, OH | Infusions Cooking | Dr. Dre., Chris Brown, Vin Diesel
Rose Norberg
General Manager, Perimeter
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2020.
What's your favorite part of your job?
How we all work together to get things done!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Lobster Roll.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Elkhart, IN | Pizza | My daughter
Sycine Riggins
General Manager, Uptown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
November 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Being able to put a smile on the teams' and guests' faces!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Greens & Grains.
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!
Amani Roberts
#2, Lakeshore East
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2024.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Connecting with the crew and our guests, and learning new things every day.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
The Lobster Roll - so yummy and buttery!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Harlem, NY | Cookie dough | Kai Cenat - he's hilarious!
Theodore Lipari
#2, Roscoe Village
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2024.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The team! (The food goes without saying.)
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Chowdah all day every day!
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!
Jose Sanchez
#2, River North
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
October 2021.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The staff and the environment!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Veggiebox.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Providence, RI | Chess, spades and basketball | My son
Johnny Ramirez
#2, Willis Tower
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
July 2021.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Shrimp Veggiebox with Supergreen Garlic & Herb and Buffalo Bleu Tots. And a refreshing Gingerade!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Warsaw, IN | Long walks on the beach and fried chicken | Jennifer Lopez, Tiffany Haddish, Alyssa Edwards and my best friends!
Ember Houser
#2, Lincoln Park
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2022.
What's your favorite part of your job?
I greatly enjoy getting to see my teammates and colleagues grow up and the opportunity to train them and see how far they come is a true gift.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Salmon Caesar, I make it every week!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Monmouth, OR (quite a small town!) | I strive to act in a way that does not make me feel guilty so this question has me totally stumped! | I would want to invite my favorite animators, story writers, and manga artists. There is a certain level of insanity that is required for animators and comic artists and the opportunity to speak with them about their passions would be a wonderful dinner time experience.
Ambrielle Golden
#2, Gold Coast
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the reactions of first-timers.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Classic Tots and a side of our delicious Buttermilk Ranch.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Indulging in chips and reality TV | Mom, Drake, and Whitney Houston
Jay Carroll
#2, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The guest experience: I love to see guests come out and enjoy what our restaurant has to offer and how we put care and quality into our brand and our food!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Grilled Salmon Caesar.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Binge watching murder mystery shows | My closest friends, my co-workers, my family and maybe even some special guests!
Nevaeh Green
#2, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2023.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Watching the crew feel comfortable to express their personalities and new hires come out of their shell.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Crispy Cod Salad with Buttermilk Ranch.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Berwyn, IL | Singing in the shower & playing obnoxiously loud music | Chad Michael Murray, Tom Welling and maybe Angelina Jolie
Melissa Morris
#2, Naperville
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
April 2025.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Helping a crew member learn something new, happy guests, and the incredible culture and support.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Crispy Cod Tacos.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
La Grange Park, IL | Couch rotting | The cast of The Office, except for Jan
Dion Webb
#2, Midtown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2019.
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!
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.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Chicago, IL | Playing my game | Lil Uzi Vert, Seth Rogen, Monkey D. Luffy
Jasmine Mapp
#2, Midtown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
September 2024.
What's your favorite part of your job?
I love our rush hours! It keeps me pumped and engaged. Plus I work well under pressure ;)
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
My item is the Crispy Shrimp but my favorite meal is the Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Atlanta, GA | Jeni's Texas Sheet Cake ice cream | Jade Fox, Mal Wright, Janelle Monae, Alex Isley, Jill Scott
Aubrey Murray
#2, Westside Provisions
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2023.
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!
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Chowdah with Tots, or our seasonal Pepper Jack Shrimp & Grits.
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
Terry Morrison
#2, Perimeter
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
August 2022.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with our guests and making sure their experiences are positive and memorable.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
The Lobster Roll.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Royston, GA | Pasta | Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Fantasia, Leandria Johnson, Kelonte Gavin
Lajuanda Webb
#2, Perimeter
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
January 2025.
What's your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of working at Brown Bag has to be the culture. Such a basic answer but it’s true. The vivacity everyone carries day in and day out is so warm and makes it easy to love my job.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
Hard choice but I’m going to go with the seasonal Blackened Salmon Sweet Potato Plate, Donna Lee out did herself with that one.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Atlanta, GA. | Sewing at 2:00am when I should be sleeping | Law Roach, Stephen Galloway, Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Chris Brown and my mom at the head of the table. These are my favorite creatives and I would one day love to pick their brains!
Shaun Ramos
#2, Uptown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
March 2022.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Interacting with guests and staff.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
The Blackened Fish Sandwich, sub grilled chicken.
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Lower East Side, Manhattan, NYC | Mixing all types of foods together | A 2000's themed party with all my crew members past and present as well as higher-ups so we can all enjoy good food and music together.
Shawna Heath
#2, Uptown
When did you join the Brown Bag team?
May 2024.
What's your favorite part of your job?
The atmosphere and the people. Everyone is so helpful and I feel the "teamwork makes the dream work" vibe. I love that.
What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?
So far, the Fish & Chips. I plan to venture out as everything is so good!
Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?
Charlotte, NC | Cartoons and Legos | Believe it or not, my granny. She is 91, but a lot of fun; my sister, who is my best friend; my dad, who inspires me; I'd really invite my whole family because we're so close. And, Taylor Swift and Russell Dickerson