We are a privately held restaurant group owned by Dee and Sara Northcutt. With a philanthropic mission in mind, we buy the best and most iconic restaurants in the country. We are not looking for the best fine dining restaurants, but any restaurant that is well known for quality food and great service. We look for restaurants that have been around for 20+ years and are so iconic that they do not advertise. We have some specific parameters that we look for when purchasing. If you have a restaurant and are interested in potentially selling over the next 1 to 10 years, please check out our list of requirements.
In 2016, we purchased our first iconic restaurant in Nashville, TN, The Pancake Pantry. At that time, The Pancake Pantry had been in business for 55 years under two generations of one family. Since then, we have purchased eleven more iconic restaurants, all with great history. We are currently in four states and are actively looking to buy more iconic restaurants in almost any state.
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Dee, the visionary founder and CEO of Iconic Restaurant Group, is a multifaceted entrepreneur and seasoned investor with a rich and diverse portfolio. Over the course of his career, Dee has established and managed a wide array of businesses, including dental and medical practices, clothing boutiques, restaurants, construction ventures, technology firms, a commercial landscaping company, pet boarding facilities, and a commercial development enterprise. Notably, he successfully consolidated and sold 18 dental and orthodontic practices, demonstrating his strategic acumen in the healthcare sector. Dee’s most significant investments lie in real estate, where he has cultivated a dynamic and diversified portfolio. As an author, he is actively working on the Roadmap to Wealth Series, with the inaugural book, Roadmap for Life, already published and available on Amazon. His current projects include an ambitious development in Abaco, Bahamas, and the continued growth of the Iconic Restaurant Group, solidifying his legacy as an innovative and influential entrepreneur.
The Roadmap to Wealth Series is a deeper dive into our life and goals. This series was originally written for our kids and released to the public. The first book Roadmap for Life is more of an overview of living a life of wealth through spiritual, mental, physical, relational, and financial wealth. The follow-up second book is Roadmap to Financial Wealth, which is a deeper dive into business and financial goals relating to Iconic Restaurant Group, Northcutt Capital Fund, and our other businesses and real estate.
Dr. Sara Northcutt serves as IRG’s Product and Merchandise Director and acts as a vital liaison for marketing and social media. She also collaborates closely with Dee Northcutt on acquisitions and mergers, bringing her strategic expertise to the company’s growth and operations.
A former dentist, Dr. Northcutt earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Tennessee before retiring from dentistry at a young age. Beyond her clinical career, Sara has built an impressive portfolio of entrepreneurial achievements, including the development, acquisition, and management of diverse businesses and commercial real estate ventures. Her leadership, business acumen, and creative vision are instrumental in advancing IRG’s mission of preserving iconic restaurants while giving back to the community.
Baxter serves as the Chief Financial Officer of IRG, bringing more than 17 years of expertise in accounting and financial transformation. Before joining IRG, he excelled as a Managing Director at KPMG LLP, where he developed a distinguished track record in tax accounting, compliance, financial transformation, and organizational strategy.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Master of Taxation from the University of Mississippi, Baxter combines technical proficiency with exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills. His commitment to transparency and building trust with clients and business partners is central to his professional ethos.
As CFO, Baxter is devoted to steering IRG’s financial strategy with unwavering integrity and confidence, fostering sustainable growth and ensuring the company’s long-term success.
Eric Silverstein is the founder of The Peached Tortilla in Austin, TX. He is a former litigator who decided to pursue a different career path and marry his passions of food and business. Eric was born in Tokyo, Japan, where he was heavily influenced by Japanese, Chinese and Malaysian cuisine. At the age of ten, Eric moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was introduced to traditional Southern cuisine. These divergent flavors and cuisines serve as the backdrop for The Peached Tortilla’s menu. Eric was named one of the top 30 Up and Coming Chefs in America by Plate Magazine. He has appeared on numerous publications, including People Magazine, Kiplinger’s Finance, Food Network, CNBC, the Cooking Channel, Forbes and Austin Monthly. In 2019, Eric released his memoir-cookbook The Peached Tortilla: Modern Asian Comfort Food from Tokyo Texas. As the Brand Director for Iconic, Eric focuses on the brand management of all Iconic restaurants through digital media, merchandise and marketing. Eric also spearheads events and catering business development for all restaurants.
Chip Bradley is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Since joining the Iconic Restaurant Group in 2021, he has leveraged his extensive expertise in hospitality-focused leadership to drive operational excellence and foster growth. Chip’s career spans diverse environments, including restaurants, private clubs, and hotels, where he has excelled in optimizing operations, nurturing employee development, and enhancing net operating income. His specialties include new store openings, training program design, systems implementation, and process improvement.
As Managing Director at Iconic Restaurant Group, Chip oversees operational leadership, human resources, financial management, contract negotiations, and IT. He also leads the company’s markets in Tennessee and Florida, ensuring seamless operations and growth. Additionally, Chip plays a pivotal role in driving strategic expansion, spearheading due diligence for all future restaurant acquisitions. His visionary leadership continues to shape the success and future trajectory of the Iconic Restaurant Group.
With over 30 years of experience across QSR, fast casual, and full-service dining, Brett Babick brings a proven track record of leadership in the restaurant and franchise industry. His career includes senior roles such as COO/VP at a $120M catering and bakery chain (Specialty Cafe & Bakery), SVP of Operations for a 300-unit QSR brand, and VP of Training for a 1,000-unit full-service company (Buffalo Wild Wings). Additionally, as a franchisee overseeing five units with $25M in annual sales, Brett has a deep understanding of operational excellence, training, and franchisee success across a variety of business models.
