General Manager, Ruby Chow’s, Atlanta
By Lara Creasy
Brian Seo, General Manager of Ruby Chow’sBrian Seo started out in hospitality, like many others, when a college friend was managing a restaurant and needed some help. “I had no idea that this part-time opportunity would evolve into a transformative and progressive career trajectory that would completely change my life,” he says.
He started as host, then his interest pivoted to bartending. He studied YouTube videos in his free time, learning all he could about spirits, wine and classic cocktails. He advanced to bar manager, and then Assistant Manager.
“Ultimately, I made the decision to leave my corporate 9-to-5 job and dive fully into the restaurant job. I haven’t looked back since,” he adds.
He took a job at Biltong Bar, where he was able to expand his experience in bartending. His next opportunity, at Nan Thai Fine Dining, allowed him to cultivate the nuanced skills necessary for fine dining. He worked his way up to Director of Operations over all the company’s restaurants, including Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft and Chai Yo Modern Thai. Brian even tried working for Loews Hotels, but decided that restaurants were his true calling.
That’s how he found his way to Ruby Chow’s, which he now considers home.
Ruby Chow’s owner, Mike Blum, speaks glowingly of his decision to hire Brian. “Before Brian stepped in, Ruby Chow’s was on the brink. After enduring multiple break-ins, a wave of instability, and the crushing pressure of declining sales in a relentlessly competitive industry, we were close to losing momentum, and hope. The atmosphere was heavy. Morale was low. We were tired, stretched thin, and unsure of what the future held. Then came Brian.”
Brian was able to increase Ruby Chow’s sales by $200,000 year-over-year, according to Blum. “He rebuilt systems, restructured teams, and re-anchored the restaurant with a calm, strategic presence. Brian is one of the sharpest minds in Atlanta hospitality today. He leads with a rare blend of operational discipline and genuine passion. He sees what others miss, thinks five steps ahead, and makes calculated choices that lift not just the bottom line, but the culture of the entire restaurant,” Blum explains.
Brian describes his management style like a captain navigating a ship. “My vision looks beyond the waves, also keeping an eye on the weather, the horizon, analyzing the skies, and keeping a feel of the coast, remembering where we came from.”
Growing up the son of university professors, teaching and communication were skills Brian learned early on. “Mentoring and continuous education are both incredibly important to me, and I strive to always be a resource my team can utilize to learn and grow. I love to hear questions that make me think. Hearing my team ask me questions shows me they’re genuinely curious and have a hunger for knowledge, not just collecting a check.”
What’s next for Brian after being named a Rising Star? He plans to open his own Korean-fusion concept, with Blum as a partner.
Brian said he is incredibly proud and honored to be nominated and named a Rising Star. “Meeting Mike Blum has been the greatest blessing. His experience, mentorship, and brotherhood has breathed new life into me, and with us working together, there’s truly no limit to what we can accomplish.”
Blum agrees, “Those of us who know Brian already understand: This will be just the beginning.”
Read More About the Other 2025 Rising Stars
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Performance Foodservice, and table sponsors, Society Insurance and Savannah Distributing, for making this event possible:
Presenting Sponsor
Table Sponsors
Savannah Distributing and Society Insurance
