Christopher J. Pappas
Co-Chairman of the Board, Pappas Restaurants, Inc.
HOUSTON
Chris Pappas has over 50 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Since co-founding Pappas Restaurants with his brothers Greg and Harris in 1970, he has helped grow it into one of the largest privately owned restaurant companies in the U.S. Today, Pappas Restaurants operates more than 90 locations across multiple brands—including Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, and Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.
Hospitality is at the heart of Pappas Restaurants, where serving others fosters connection, community, and opportunity. Under Chris and Harris’ leadership, the company has provided tens of thousands of jobs, cultivating a culture of excellence through training and career growth. Many team members have built lifelong careers within the Pappas family, advancing from entry-level positions to leadership roles.
Pappas Restaurants is committed to giving back, supporting organizations such as MD Anderson, Periwinkle Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Target Hunger, Belong Kitchen, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Star of Hope, Houston Food Bank, and Kid’s Meals.
A respected industry leader, Chris is an emeritus board member of the National Restaurant Association, Texas Restaurant Association, and Greater Houston Restaurant Association. He has also served on advisory boards for Amegy Bank and the Greater Houston Partnership.
Chris is actively involved with the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, serving on the Dean’s Advisory Board. His contributions have earned him multiple honors, including the 1994 Honorary Alumnus Award, the 1996 Volunteer of the Year Award, and induction into the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor in 2009.
Beyond his professional contributions, Chris is deeply involved in the Greek Orthodox community. He was heavily involved in the 2017 renovation and expansion of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and was inducted as a UT Mechanical Engineering Department Distinguished Alumni in 2012. He is married to Maria, and together they have five children and 11 grandchildren.
Harris J. Pappas
Co-Chairman of the Board, Pappas Restaurants, Inc.
HOUSTON
Harris J. Pappas is Co-Chairman of the Board of Pappas Restaurants, Inc., a privately owned company of over ninety restaurants located in seven states. Since 1970, Harris has accrued over fifty years of industry and operational management experience and is actively involved in the operation and development of Pappas Restaurants.
Harris attended Schreiner Institute and continued his education at Texas A&M University where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Accounting. Upon graduation, Harris was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Harris served overseas for one year in Thailand and one year in Vietnam and was awarded two Bronze Stars and three Army Commendation medals.
Harris generously gives his time to civic and community affairs. He served a five-year term on the Board of Trustees at Hermann Hospital, a 10-year term on the Board of Trustees of Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston, and a three-year term on the Board of Directors of Schreiner University. He served as a Director at Oceaneering International for twenty years and serves as a corporate member of the Memorial Hermann Board and an advisory director for Frost National Bank-Houston.
Harris received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas A&M University in 2001 and the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Texas A&M Mays College of Business in 1999. In 2013, Harris was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets Foundation and was inducted into the Hilton Hospitality Hall of Honor at the University of Houston’s Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2009. In October of 2004, Harris was honored as an Archon in the Greek Orthodox Church and was the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2005. The Washington OXI Day Foundation presented Harris with the Calamos Award in 2024 for service to his country with honor and courage during the Vietnam War.