As the holiday season approaches, it’s exciting to envision sharing warm, delicious food with family and friends. To speak more on all the appetizing eats Indianapolis has to offer, we sat down with Mike Cunningham, founder & CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group and new GIPC Member. We were thrilled to learn more about CRG and what they have in store for us this fall. Photo: Mike Cunningham, Cunningham Restaurant Group

Access member profiles from previous months here. Have news you want shared? Let us know!

A Passion Since Childhood

  • Mike joined the restaurant industry at a very young age, working alongside his brothers at Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved to Indianapolis in 1985 and quickly took on leadership roles at the Ground Round Restaurant Group, as well as being a part of the opening team of Sahm’s Restaurant and founding the frozen yogurt chain, The Big Chill. Mike attributes much of his leadership development to his first years in Indianapolis, noting how he was able to learn the skills needed to be successful in the business on the small-scale before taking on major markets. This success led him to opening his first large-scale restaurant, Boulder Creek, in 1997. Since the creation of Boulder Creek, CRG has expanded, with its 45th restaurant location, Shin Dig, opening this week!

Keys to the Indianapolis Hospitality Industry

  • Mike knows that to be successful in the hospitality industry, you must have a passion for creating environments that make people feel good. He noted that in the beginning with Boulder Creek, the restaurant stood out from others due to its unique balance of being an independent restaurant with the polished appearance and professional staff that you may expect at a large-scale chain. As the market has transitioned to prioritizing individualized, personalized experiences, CRG has risen to the occasion. CRG offers concepts that are unique to the Indianapolis dining experience.

Experiences for All

  • CRG has 9 dining concepts in downtown Indianapolis, each with a different atmosphere for guests. For GIPC Board Members, Mike recommended Vida first for a top-tier dining experience; it is the only restaurant in the city with a AAA Four Diamond award and Vida’s Chef Thomas Melvin is a two-time James Beard Award Semifinalist. He also recommended Commission Row and The Bemberg for business meetings. The Bemberg offers a members-only experience to gather with friends or business acquaintances for drinks and charcuterie. You can view the full restaurant list on CRG’s website: https://www.crgdining.com/restaurants/.

What the Future Has in Store For CRG

  • CRG has been looking forward to the opening week of Shin Dig, their newest restaurant located on North Mass Ave. Featuring a large bar with a patio in the works, it is a place to relax, eat, and enjoy a fun and energetic environment with friends and family (The GIPC staff was able to tour the restaurant, and we have to say it is the perfect addition to the area!). Additionally, CRG is developing restaurants in Greenwood, including a new Stone Creek Dining location as well as a Bru Burger. For those planning events in Indianapolis, Cunningham Premier Catering has set up shop in the Link Building in Fishers. More recently CRG has dipped its toes in the private event space, having both a greenhouse located on the southside of Indianapolis, and a gorgeous event barn opening in West Lafayette. From large-scale restaurants to intimate dining experiences, CRG has many new concepts on the horizon!