Who is Tom Ryan and what is he known for?

Tom Ryan is a renowned innovator credited with creating iconic fast-food items such as Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza and McDonald's McGriddle and McFlurry.

How did Tom Ryan invent the stuffed crust pizza?

Ryan focused on cheese as a key driver of pizza value, overcoming technical challenges to engineer cheese within the crust after extensive development.

What other major food chains did Tom Ryan impact?

After Pizza Hut and McDonald's, Ryan co-founded Smashburger, which was later sold to Jollibee. He also worked at Quiznos and founded Tom's Urban.

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Tom Ryan: The Secret Ingredient to Fast Food Hits

18 Nov

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Summary

Ryan invented Pizza Hut's stuffed crust, a massive commercial success.
He created iconic McDonald's items like McGriddle and McFlurry.
He co-founded Smashburger, later sold to Jollibee for $445 million.

Tom Ryan: The Secret Ingredient to Fast Food Hits

Tom Ryan, armed with a doctorate in flavor chemistry, transformed the fast-food landscape. His early career at Pizza Hut saw the birth of the immensely popular stuffed crust pizza, a product that boosted overall sales and generated over $1 billion in its first year. Ryan's innovative spirit also led to other popular items like breadsticks and chicken wings.

Recruited by McDonald's, Ryan's genius was applied to breakfast menus, resulting in the creation of the McGriddle. He also enhanced existing offerings, like the fruit-and-yogurt parfait, and introduced the McFlurry and the value-driving Dollar Menu to U.S. markets.

Beyond these giants, Ryan co-founded Smashburger, which expanded to over 360 locations and was recognized for its growth. The chain's sale to Jollibee for more than $445 million highlighted its success. Ryan continues to shape the food industry through ventures like Tom's Urban and Tom's Watch Bar.