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.

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.

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

May 2020.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Greens & Grains with Golden Ginger Lime.

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.

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.

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

August 2019.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Veggiebox with Supergreen Garlic & Herb.

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).

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

April 2018.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Blackened Fish 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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

June 2021.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled Chicken Powerbox.

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.

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!).

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

March 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with some corn and crispy onions on top.

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.

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.

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

January 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled Salmon Caesar.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

April 2024.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

The Lobster Roll - so yummy and buttery!

What's your favorite part of your job?

Connecting with the crew and our guests, and learning new things every day.

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Harlem, NY | Cookie dough | Kai Cenat - he's hilarious!

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.

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!

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

November 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?

Creating a 10/10 experience for our guests.

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Chicago, IL | White chocolate mocha with oat mik and a cheese danish from Starbucks | Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

July 2021.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled Shrimp Veggiebox with Supergreen Garlic & Herb and Buffalo Bleu Tots. And a refreshing Gingerade!

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!

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

August 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Caesar, I make it every week!

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. 

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

September 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled Salmon Caesar.

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!

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 guest!

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

May 2024.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

The TACOS!!!!

What's your favorite part of your job?

Guest interaction and the vibe of our restaurant.. 

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Chicago, IL | Chocolate!!! | The entire Brown Bag family & Cardi B!

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

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

Septemebr 2024.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

My item is the Crispy Shrimp but my favorite meal is the Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad!

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 ;) 

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Atlanta, Georgia | Jeni's Texas Sheet Cake ice cream. | Jade Fox, Mal Wright, Janelle Monae, Alex Isley, Jill Scott.

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

March 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

The Blackened Fish Sandwich, sub grilled chicken.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Interacting with guests and staff. 

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

May 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Grilled catch & grilled shrimp quesadilla (off menu!).

What's your favorite part of your job?

Making new friends, and working on being less nerdy every day! Solving problems and being a ninja! 

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Chicago, IL | Toonami | Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Anderson Silva, MF DOOM, The Undertaker and Tony Ferguson.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

May 2024.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

So far, the Fish & Chips. I plan to venture out as everything is so good!

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. 

Quick Hits: Hometown? | Guilty Pleasure? | Dinner Party Guests?

Charlotte, NC | Cartoons and Legos | Belive 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