Ron has been recognized repeatedly for his visionary leadership. In 2020, he was listed as one of Boston’s Most Influential People by Boston Magazine. In 2018, he was named Restaurant Leader of the Year by Restaurant Business. In 2017, he received the Legend in Leadership Award from the Chief Executive Leadership Institute at the Yale School of Management. He was also named the second most influential leader in the restaurant industry by Nation's Restaurant News in its 2017 Power List.

Earlier, he received the Nation’s Restaurant News 2011 Pioneer Award for being one of the most significant contributors to the history of the restaurant industry. Past winners have included Colonel Harland Sanders, Ray Kroc, Norman Brinker and J. Willard Marriott Sr. Ron was awarded IFMA’s Gold Plate Award for being the industry’s outstanding leader in 2005. And he twice received the Nation’s Restaurant News Golden Chain Award, recognizing industry leadership and success.

In addition, Ron was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the New England region in 1998, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midwest region in 2003, and a finalist for the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003.

Ron chairs or sits on the boards of Clark University, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Cava, Life Alive Organic Cafe, Tatte Bakery and Cafe and Level99. He formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Clark University and on the boards of Farmers Business Network, Conscious Capitalism, Inc., Whole Foods Market Inc., Unite America, , the Rashi School, the Lown Cardiovascular Foundation and the Alliance for Business Leadership. Ron is also a co-founder of No Labels, an organization that promotes bipartisan political problem solving and the development of a long-term strategic plan for the country.

Ron received his B.A. in Political Science and Government and a D.H.L. (Honorary) from Clark University and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Ron lives in Miami, FL and is the proud father of Michael and Emma.