4 Rivers Founder Honored With 2024 Cecil B. Day Ethics Award
John Rivers, founder and CEO of 4 Rivers Smokehouse, was presented the 2024 Cecil B. Day Ethics Award during the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) Summit on August 14. This award recognizes leaders who have demonstrated ethical leadership in the hospitality industry.
About two decades ago, the owner of one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the Southeast was spending his days in healthcare. Retiring as the president of a $1.5 billion company inspired him to chase his dream—to perfect brisket while traveling across the country. In 2004, Rivers hosted the first "Barbecue Ministry," a cookout fundraiser to support a local family whose young daughter was battling cancer. Though he had no plans of opening a restaurant, the success of this event ignited a movement, leading him to support other charities. Smoking meat in his garage soon outgrew its capacity, prompting him to open his first restaurant in Winter Park, FL.
4 Rivers has been recognized as the country's No. 1 BBQ restaurant chain and a powerhouse in the industry. Rivers has earned a collection of prestigious accolades, both for his restaurant and himself. From television appearances to features in national publications, his mission to expand the reach of BBQ beyond regional boundaries remains firmly rooted in his beginnings. In addition to receiving the Cecil B. Day Ethics Award, he was inducted into the 2021 FSU College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame.
Beyond leading his restaurant group, Rivers founded the 4 Roots Farm & Agriculture Center, where he dedicates his time to fostering a healthier food system in Central Florida. By creating an educational campus, Rivers aims to raise awareness about where and how food is grown—and why it matters for people and the planet. His efforts in Orlando focus on research and innovation to advance the mission of harnessing the power of food. To support these sustainable practices, with full operations anticipated by late 2026, volunteer or donate here.
Rivers was never formally trained as a chef with a culinary degree, yet he created one of the most successful BBQ chains in America. With a bachelor's degree in marketing from FSU's College of Business, he successfully grew his business to 15 locations across Florida and beyond. Now with 22 locations, the 4 Rivers brand continues to expand, along with its other innovative concepts. As a proud Seminole, Rivers has even brought the best of BBQ to the heart of FSU's campus.