Many of the region’s most powerful political and business leaders dine at a Max Restaurant Group eatery, so it’s hard not to put the chain’s founder and president on a power players list. Hartford native Richard Rosenthal started the group back in 1986 when he opened his first bistro-style restaurant, Max on Main, on Main Street.
Since then he’s become one of the region’s most prolific restaurateurs, owning 10 independent and mostly upscale restaurants, including two in Hartford, and a catering company.
Governors, U.S. senators and top corporate CEOs have all dined at Rosenthal’s signature Max Downtown restaurant in Hartford’s City Place skyscraper, which underwent a $1.5-million renovation in 2017, demonstrating a desire to remain on top at a time when consumers’ tastes are always changing.