Business

In the mid 70’s after 20 years in the insurance business, Dale got into the food industry as an investor with Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken.  Within a few years, he went “bust” in the chicken business. In 1980, with a newfound drive and outlook on life, he founded Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and sold it in 1995 for the highest sum ever paid for a single, independent restaurant. D Magazine named Del Frisco’s one of the “Twelve Best Restaurants in Dallas” in 1986. In 1994, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse won the “Triple Crown” of achievements awards – The Restaurants & Institutions Ivy Award, The Cheers Award for Excellence for Independent Restaurants, and induction into the Nation’s Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame.

Also in 1994, Dale founded the Independent Retail Cattleman’s Association which, to this day, reflects the attitude of independent steakhouse owners throughout America. The Independent Retail Cattleman’s Association has a distinguished advisory Board of Directors which includes T. Boone Pickens, the legendary oilman; Edwin Meese, former Attorney General of The United States under President Ronald Reagan; The Honorable D Robert Graham, former United States Senator and Larry King, CNN Talk Show Host.

Three years after the sale of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Dale founded III Forks which he sold in 2001. Many major cities throughout the United States are now home to a Del Frisco’s or III Forks Steakhouse.