Fabio Viviani is building a restaurant empire from Chicago

The Italian-born fan favorite on reality TV show "Top Chef" is sitting on 35 restaurants around the country, with plans to open at least a dozen more in the coming year.
By H. Lee Murphy

Crain’s contributor H. Lee Murphy has written for Crain’s Chicago Business and its sister publications for more than 25 years, covering topics including small business, finance, manufacturing, international trade and more.

Credit: John R. Boehm
Fabio Viviani

In the world of brand-name chefs, perhaps Wolfgang Puck is the volume leader, with stakes in 36 restaurants and lounges. Gordon Ramsay has his name on 35 establishments. But both are likely to be surpassed soon by a lesser-known Chicago-area chef who is amassing a dining empire at a brisk pace.

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By H. Lee Murphy

Crain’s contributor H. Lee Murphy has written for Crain’s Chicago Business and its sister publications for more than 25 years, covering topics including small business, finance, manufacturing, international trade and more.

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