Dallas entrepreneur receives highest honor from Texas Restaurant Association
Jeffrey Yarbrough of bigInk PR & Marketing receives induction into TRA’s Hall of Honor
Dallas entrepreneur Jeffrey Yarbrough is one of three recent inductees into the Texas Restaurant Association’s (TRA) legendary Hall of Honor – the highest award the Association can bestow. The induction ceremony will take place at the TRA’s 2016 Night of Excellence on Saturday, June 25th at the Revention Music Center in Houston, located at 520 Texas Avenue. The event is held in conjunction with the TRA Marketplace, the second-largest industry foodservice show in the country.
To qualify, nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of TRA membership and exemplify superior business ethics. Criteria include significant time and energy devoted to the benefit of TRA and its members, as well as his or her local chapter. Nominees must also gain proper recognition for, and of, the restaurant industry and help to build the image of the food service industry overall.
“Induction into the Hall of Honor is the highest award we can give to publicly recognize those who have been great leaders, successful business people and a true beacon to others,” said Richie Jackson, TRA CEO. “They are the ones who work tirelessly to help their colleagues succeed and in serving others, elevate the entire industry. We couldn’t be more proud to honor them.”
Jeffrey is known for his entrepreneurial spirit. His first foray into the entertainment industry was Concept Nouveau, Dallas’ original four clubs-in-one complex, including Art Bar, Blind Lemon, Club Clearview and Red. In 1998, he launched Liberty Noodles, the first Pan-Asian noodle house located on Lower Greenville in Dallas. In 2004, Jeffrey took his knowledge of the hospitality industry and opened bigInk PR & Real Estate, using his experience to help other restaurateurs and business owners find success. However, he can’t stay away from a hands-on role in the restaurant business and is currently part owner of The Cedars Social, one of Dallas’ best cocktail bars.
Jeffrey joined the Texas Restaurant Association in 1991. He served on the Dallas chapter board of directors for many years, and as chapter president in 1998. Jeffrey was elected TRA president in 2001 and is currently a member of the TRA Board of Director’s executive committee.
He is thrilled about the award. “Some of the best folks in my life have come from being active in the TRA. I could not think of a bigger honor than receiving this award from my peers. I’m so happy being part of such a unique, and entrepreneurial industry– one that allows people to thrive in so many different ways!”
Other 2016 nominees include Greg Stockton of Golden Chick in Wichita Falls, and Russell Ybarra, president and CEO of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen and Jimmy Changas in Houston. Over the past 30 years of the award’s history, there have been 119 honorees. For more information about Texas Restaurant Association and the Hall of Honor awards, visit www.restaurantville.com.
About the Texas Restaurant Association
The Texas Restaurant Association was formed in 1937 to serve as the advocate in Texas and the indispensable resource for the foodservice industry. Today, as a leading business association, TRA represents the state’s $52.4 billion restaurant industry, which is comprised of 42,500 plus locations and a workforce of 1.2 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the Association represents, educates and promotes the growing industry. www.restaurantville.com
From his days as a roving restaurateur to his current work leading PR clients to extensive accolades and booming business, Jeffrey Yarbrough has achieved unequivocal success in all aspects of the hospitality industry. How does he do it? An entrepreneur and expert networker by nature, Yarbrough shares with his clients the real life experience he gained from running his own businesses.
Don’t just take our word for it. Yarbrough’s knowledge of public relations tactics, media relations and the hospitality industry has warranted bigInk PR’s recognition as one of Dallas Business Journal’s Top 25 public relations companies in Dallas/Fort Worth.
His first entertainment accomplishment (Concept Nouveau, Inc.) was Dallas’ original four-clubs-in-one complex, including Art Bar, Blind Lemon, Club Clearview and Red. Its diverse club settings, friendly atmosphere and service, and creative marketing campaigns made the complex a role model for nightclub establishments throughout the nation.
Jeffrey’s innovative entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch Liberty Noodles in 1998, the first pan-Asian noodle house in Texas. Liberty Noodles opened on Lower Greenville in Dallas, and the whimsically chic restaurant received rave reviews. As if that isn’t enough, Yarbrough also co-wrote the nationally distributed “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Asian Cooking” with Liberty Noodles Founding Chef Annie Wong.
In 2004, Jeffrey took his knowledge of the hospitality industry– and all the booms that come with it — and opened bigInk, using his experience to help other restaurateurs and business owners avoid painful mistakes and reach sweeping success.
Jeffrey Yarbrough leads by example, not only in business, but in his ability to balance work with a busy family life as a husband and the father of triplets.
