Chris T. Sullivan is the co-founder and former president and CEO of Outback Steakhouses. Upon graduation from the University of Kentucky, he went to work for Steak & Ale Restaurant Group where he became executive vice president. He later served as general manager for Bennigan's restaurants. In 1983 he founded Sunstate Restaurant Corporation to develop Chili's Incorporated restaurants in Florida and Georgia. He and his partners later formulated the concept for Outback Steakhouse. With Mr. Sullivan as president and CEO, the restaurant was ranked 19 out of 200 in Forbes magazine’s list of the best small companies in America. It was also listed by Fortune as number eight on the list of the fastest growing companies in America.