Ron Paul, a renowned figure in the food industry, left an indelible mark through his work with Technomic. Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from Northwestern University and went on to achieve great success in the field.

"Ron Paul's Impact on the Food Service Industry"

Early Life and Education

Ron Paul was born Ronald Neale Paul in Chicago and grew up on the West Side. He graduated from Austin High School and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University in 1957 and an MBA a year later. His educational background laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the food service industry.After college, Paul taught statistics at Roosevelt University and worked for a business unit at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Research Institute. In 1966, he teamed up with Aaron Lebedow to form Technomic, which would become a leading food service research and consulting firm.

Technomic's Success and Paul's Role

Within Technomic, Paul's area of oversight was to collect data and build a database of information involving food service companies. He was able to create an annual study of trends in the food service industry for restaurant clients, which became highly regarded in the industry. Paul also spoke at every major event in the food service world, and his insights and expertise were highly valued by clients.Lebedow, Paul's colleague, praised his ability to build a special kind of practice. "He did a hell of a job in creating that business, and he was well-known in the industry, and the business was well-known in the industry," Lebedow said. Paul's work at Technomic helped to expand the food service business and generate consumer surveys, as well as predict food trends.

Personal Traits and Mentorship

Paul had a reputation for walking the halls of Technomic, checking in on his employees and being genuinely curious about their well-being. Tristano described him as the consummate entrepreneur and mentor. "He believed in growing his business by hiring, supporting and retaining good people. His remarks always included the question, 'What can I do to support you?'"Paul also enjoyed mentoring younger executives and helping to serve food service clients. He was readily available to reporters seeking comments on the food industry, further demonstrating his influence and knowledge.

Industry Insights and Trends

In analyzing restaurant trends, Paul was often ahead of the curve. He noted the increasing dine-and-shop trend in specialty retailers and saw the value in having bars or cafes in upscale boutiques. His insights helped to shape the industry and showed his ability to understand consumer behavior.However, even Paul had his limits. In a 2010 Tribune article on restaurant names, he admitted that evaluating and choosing names for eateries was too personal and not an area he and Technomic would touch.

Later Years and Legacy

Paul ran Technomic until 2015 when he sold the firm to Winsight. His contributions to the food service industry continued to be felt even after he sold the company.A first marriage ended in divorce, but Paul is survived by his wife of 41 years, Georgeann, two other daughters, Lisa Renaud and Brenda Bradley, a sister, Barbara Rish, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.Services were held to honor his life and legacy. Ron Paul's impact on the food service industry will not be forgotten.