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 mentor, my bestie, 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, Andy Samberg, Alexander Hamilton.

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.

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.

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?

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!).

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).

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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!).

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?

August 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Greens & Grains with a Gingerade.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Supporting the sustainable food movement!

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

Naperville, IL | Binge watching "Just for Laughs" gags on YouTube. | Michael Pollan, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds, Marcus Aurelius and Russell Brand.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

April 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Veggiebox, add jalapeños, extra lemon vinaigrette will get me right every time!!

What's your favorite part of your job?

Building bonds and encouraging my team. I love how everybody makes you feel like part of one big family! 

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

Douglasville, GA | Romance/SciFi novels. | My amazing dad (RIP) and my family. Also Lil Wayne!

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?

October 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Supergreen Garlic & Herb and a side of Garlic Bread.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Interacting with my co-workers and interacting with and watching guests enjoy our delicious food. 

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

Born in Tampa, FL and raised in Charlotte, NC | Takis and Cotton Candy. | J. Cole, Rihanna, Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.

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!

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

August 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

I love the Fish Sandwich, substituting salmon. Extra pickle me, please!

What's your favorite part of your job?

Creating an awesome environment for my team and having fun with them throughout the day. South End has lots of things cooking!

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

Chicago, IL | Red Velvet cookies from Insomnia with cream cheese frosting to dip. | Cleopatra and Elton John - they would have great stories to tell.

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.

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?

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.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

December 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Veggiebox, Make it Fire!

What's your favorite part of your job?

Greeting and talking to guests. 

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

Chicago, IL | Cooking | Lizzo! She is my favorite artist..

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

August 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Greens & Grains.

What's your favorite part of your job?

The crew!

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

Detroit, MI | Listening to the same song on repeat. | Keanu Reeves.

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!).

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!

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?

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.

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 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Veggiebox!

What's your favorite part of your job?

The guests! I love interacting and building relationships with all of them! 

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

Atlanta, GA | Chocolate covered nuts. | Beyonce!

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?

June 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Seared Tuna Salad with Supergreen.

What's your favorite part of your job?

When guests tell me how awesome the food is.

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

Lilburn, GA | Real Housewives | My mom.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

December 2022.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

A tie between the Grilled Shrimp Tacos and the Salmon Veggiebox.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Interacting with and getting to know our guests.

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

Kinglands, GA & Rock Hill, SC | Sweets. | Vincent Van Gogh and MLK.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

February 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Straight Up Salmon.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Learning more about it! 

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

Columbia, SC | Doing absolutely nothing. | Jessie Reyez.

When did you join the Brown Bag team?

October 2023.

What's your favorite meal at Brown Bag?

Salmon Greens & Grains.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Working hand in hand with the team.

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

Winston-Salem, NC | Chocolate Chip Cookies | Rihanna

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!