Matt Brice is the founder and CEO of The Federal American Grill, a Scottsdale restaurant with an extensive menu featuring Southern comfort plates, steaks, pasta, seafood and all-American burgers. “The Federal American Grill offers genuine service, a relaxed atmosphere, scratch cooking and an extensive whiskey selection.” Learn about Matt Brice…
Follow at: @the_federal_grill
Hometown: Chicopee, Massachusetts
First job: At age 13, I convinced the owners of a local diner, Lucky Strike, to hire me as a dishwasher. I then worked my way up to busboy, and then line cook.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: Restaurant hopping. I love experiencing all the fantastic restaurants in Scottsdale and meeting new people there.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: I love that our team continues to create restaurants with a warm, inviting and fun environment—we want to give people an hour-and-a-half vacation every time they walk in the doors of The Federal American Grill.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: We opened our second restaurant just as COVID hit, and keeping the doors open and our employees paid was tough. We decided to open early so we didn’t have to lay off any of our team members.
Someone who inspires you and why: Houston restauranteur Johnny Carrabba. He stays focused on what’s important in this business: the amazing guests and the surrounding communities.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Work hard every single day. Achieving your dreams will be matched by your work ethic.
Favorite quote: “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” —Winston Churchill
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I attended college on a basketball scholarship.
What makes someone fabulous: Having a positive impact on the world and the people around you.