Joe Micatrotto Jr.

Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 | 6 a.m.

Joe Micatrotto Jr.

Age: 35

Current job: Founder, president and CEO, Micatrotto Restaurant Group and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Education: Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green), Bachelor of Science in hotel restaurant tourism management

About Joe Micatrotto Jr.: In 2005, Joe Micatrotto Jr. teamed up with his parents and brother to form Micatrotto Restaurant Group, a restaurant marketing and management firm that successfully debuted a concept that was previously unknown west of Louisiana.

MRG is the local franchisee for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, a Baton Rouge-based quick-serve restaurant based on five simple menu items: fresh chicken tenderloins, crinkle-cut french fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and secret Cane sauce.

MRG now operates four popular valley locations, with a fifth set to open in March. Micatrotto—who has provided leadership and direction as president and CEO since 2007—said controlled, steady growth is elemental to success.

“We build one store every 12 to 18 months, and never try to put the cart before the horse,” he said, adding that the company has seen positive year-over-year sales.

Prior to launching MRG, Micatrotto worked in various capacities with Buca di Beppo, most recently serving as managing partner for the Honolulu location, where he was responsible for $5.5 million in sales in 2004. During his seven-year tenure with Buca, Micatrotto opened more than 15 locations from Seattle to Tampa, accepting the role of “paisano partner” (top manager) of the Irvine, Calif., location in 2000.

Named the Nevada Restaurant Association’s 2008 “Restaurateur of the Year,” Micatrotto is also a founding member of the UNLV Micatrotto Scholar Fund and a Tocqueville Society Member of the United Way.

The most important issue facing the valley: Education single-handedly. We as a community have to put our hands together and put our arms around the kids in our community to make sure every kid who starts school in Southern Nevada finishes it.

My mentor and why: My father, who has been the founder and president of many major restaurant chains. From day one he instilled the values of leadership and community service.

Favorite Web site: www.espn.com

Hobbies: Soccer, my kids and house-hunting

Fantasy job: I’m doing it.

One-word description of self: Energized