Steven Schussler

Steven Schussler is an entrepreneur, restaurateur, author, and motivational speaker known for developing immersive dining experiences and themed entertainment concepts. As an executive in the television and broadcast industry, Schussler gained expertise in selling concepts and intangible ideas, a skill that became central to his entrepreneurial ventures. His entry into the restaurant industry began with the creation of "Jukebox Saturday Night," a nostalgic restaurant and nightclub with multiple locations across Chicago, Des Moines, Springfield, San Francisco, and Minneapolis. These early projects set the stage for his later achievements in hospitality and restaurant innovation.

Schussler conceived the Rainforest Cafe, transforming his suburban Minneapolis home into a prototype complete with tropical birds, aquariums, lush vegetation, and retail products. Building the project required three years and a significant personal investment. The first Rainforest Cafe opened at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, with support from a group of investors. Schussler and his public company operated 45 Rainforest Cafe restaurants across three continents, earning more than 40 awards, including Fortune Magazine's Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.A. Additional honors included Nation's Restaurant News' Hot Concept Award, Orlando Magazine's Best Theme Restaurant, the National Retail Federation's National Retailer of the Year, and the Chicago Tribune's Best Restaurant for Kids.

Schussler founded Schussler Creative, Inc., where he leads the creative vision and strategic direction of the organization. His post-Rainforest Cafe projects include themed restaurants at Walt Disney World in Florida, such as "T-Rex Cafe," featuring animatronic dinosaurs and simulated meteor showers, and "Yak & Yeti," a Nepalese-style restaurant decorated with Southeast Asian artifacts. Rainforest Cafe remains the only restaurant company to have opened in every Disney theme park.

Schussler co-authored "It's a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring" with business professor and psychologist Marvin Karlins. The book became a national bestseller and reached the top of Amazon.com's Business & Investing Books list. All author profits from the book are donated to Smile Network International, supporting surgical repairs for children with cleft lips and palates worldwide.

Schussler is recognized as a motivational speaker, focusing on innovation, branding, and entrepreneurship. His keynotes draw on real-world examples from developing themed restaurants and entertainment venues, offering strategies for business differentiation and customer engagement. He emphasizes the "Five P's" of success: Personality, Product, Persistence, People, and Philanthropy. Schussler has appeared as a judge on Food Network's "24 Hour Restaurant Battle" and teaches an entrepreneurial class at the Carlson School of Business Management at the University of Minnesota. He is also a columnist for Minnesota Business Magazine, where his "Backtalk" column shares stories, advice, and experiences from business leaders to motivate and educate readers.