Bruce Russell

Owner

About

With a lifelong career in the restaurant industry, I have built my professional path from hands-on operations to senior leadership and successful entrepreneurship. After advancing through management and ultimately serving as an Area Director in the corporate restaurant sector, I made the decision to venture out on my own. Over the past 15 years, I have owned and operated up to four restaurants simultaneously, gaining extensive experience in business development, operations, staffing, and community engagement. I currently operate my own restaurant and am also the building owner. My achievements have been recognized at the state and national level. I was honored to be named an Industry Titan 100 for two consecutive years and was recently invited to join the Titan 100 Hall of Fame, recognizing my long-term impact and leadership within the industry. After closing one of my iconic restaurants, AJ O’Brady’s, I was approached by the Menomonee Falls Historical Society and invited to have the establishment and myself included in their museum—an acknowledgment of the restaurant’s cultural significance and legacy within the community. Beyond day-to-day operations, I have been deeply involved in community organizations and local economic development throughout Menomonee Falls. I joined the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls as its 200th member and served on the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce Board for four years. During that time, I also served six years as President of the Menomonee Falls Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), where I played a key role in revitalizing the downtown area. In collaboration with members of the Menomonee Falls Knights of Columbus, I co-founded the Menomonee Falls Memorial Fest, now a major annual event drawing more than 15,000 attendees each Memorial Day weekend. Proceeds from this event have supported numerous downtown enhancement projects, including large-scale murals, redevelopment of Centennial Plaza, Beer Gardens, Music on the Riverwalk, downtown rooftop lighting, and other beautification initiatives. Additionally, I contributed to the oversight and planning of the committee responsible for developing the new Village Park, further supporting the long-term vibrancy and growth of Menomonee Falls. Driven by a commitment to community, hospitality excellence, and sustainable local development, I continue to seek opportunities to make a positive and lasting impact—both within my business and throughout the community I serve.

Country

United States

City

Germantown

Industry

Restaurants

Skill

Food, Restaurants, Management, Leadership, Time Management, Small Business, Hospitality, Restaurant Management, Inventory Management, Team Building, Menu Development, Strategic Planning, Food Service, Multi-unit, Marketing, Food , Creative Direction, Social Networking, New Restaurant Openings, Social Media Marketing

Experience

Owner

Belfast Station

2019-11 - Present · 6 yrs 11 mos

Sussex, Wisconsin, United States

Belfast Station in an amazing restaurant & bar where we do everything I've always enjoyed in the restaurant industry. Being able to support the local community and organizations then seeing the impact is truly rewarding. This place offers an amazing outdoor patio with bar, a garage door that opens from the dining room to the patio and a large stage where we bring in some of the best music talent in Wisconsin.

Owner

A.J. O'Brady's

2010-9 - 2025-9 · 15 yrs 1 mo

Menomonee Falls, WI

A.J. O'Brady's is fastly being known in its communtiy for great food, great sports atmosphere, great authentic surrounding and above all the true feel of a Public House. After 6 months of being in business A.J. O'Brady's was voted in the top 3 Irish Pubs in Wisconsin by ABC's A List. A.J. O'Brady's has fun staff that are committed to making guest feel like they're truly part of A.J. O'Brady's and warmly welcome. This is a unique Pubs America, Inc restaurant & bar that is perfect for the Menomonee Falls community. A.J. O'Brady's Irish Pub & Grill N88 W16495 Main St. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Business Owner

Wisconsin On Tap

2021-10 - 2024-8 · 2 yrs 11 mos

Menomonee Falls WI

Wisconsin On Tap has over 20 taps all featuring beers from local breweries in Wisconsin. Our menu was designed by Food Network Chef and Friend Chef Brian Duffy. With a decent size game room that is visible from the Bar/Restaurant area, Wisconsin On Tap is perfect for friends to gather and have fun or families to come in, hang out, enjoy the game and let the kids play.

Owner

Russell’s Tally Ho

2021-1 - 2022-8 · 1 yr 8 mos

Erin,Wi

The 3rd Irish pub of the Irish Trio is the historic Tally Ho.

President

The Main Mill

2014-11 - 2021-9 · 6 yrs 11 mos

Menomonee Falls WI

I have converted the old AJ's Live space to be a full service restaurant in The Main Mill. We specialize in shareable size plates, in a more upscale theme restaurant that wont hurt your pocket book. We have great wine selections from all over the world. We have a large banquet room that can seat up to 80 people and can accommodate smaller parties as well. The Main Mill has a large elevated deck with great views of Lime Kiln Park and the big water fall. The Main Mill is a great spot to grab some friends, relax and enjoy an incredible dining experience by the river walk in Menomonee Falls.

Owner

The Crest Pub & Grill

2016-5 - 2017-4 · 1 yr

Waukesha, Wisconsin

A pub & grill with Irish roots. www.thecrestpub.com. Sold in April 2017

COO

Pubs America, Inc.

2010-10 - 2016-8 · 5 yrs 11 mos

Pubs America, Inc. is a restaurant/bar parent company that has started to grow in Wisconsin. Owned by 2 restaurant operators with many years of restaurant and management experience that rebrand, redevelop and remarket restaurants to grow in today's economy. Pubs America, Inc. is commited to rebranding in America what Public houses are suppose to really be and not just be another pub in the communtiy.

Managing Member

AJs Live

2012-11 - 2014-11 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Menomonee Falls, WI

AJs Live is all about live music. We also have banquet space for up to 60 ppl. Www.ajslive.com

General Manager

Bar Louie

2009-9 - 2011-1 · 1 yr 5 mos

Bar Louie was one of the biggest restaurant challanges of my career. The demand for top performance in this company is stressful but rewarding in accomplishment. I was greatful to be part of this company during its buy out and transition to Sun Capital. The wealth of knowledge I learned will definetly help me in my company as we grow. Bar Louie has brought in some of the top industry professionals to take over and rebrand this hurting concept. Time will only tell if prior ownership and corporate managements damaging style of terrible management will be able to be forgotten. I hope the best for Bar Louie's new structure but do not endorse anyone (non culinary) that was part of the original corporate management structure that pissed off a lot of industry proffesionals and small business owners in their communities.

Area Director

Claddagh Irish Pubs

2008-11 - 2009-9 · 11 mos

Claddagh is a great Irish company that was unfortunelty ran by a mad man when it originally first opened. Those who worked for Claddagh know the unfortunate story that kept Claddagh from being America's largest Irish Pub chain. These restaurants are located in some really economically struggling communities that have high rents but they're still in business and make money. Being part of the restructuring I really felt great about the direction Claddagh is going and had a true sense of accomplishment when I left. Owned currently by a true Irishman I learned a lot about the pub concept that will definetly help me in the future. Check out one of these places if you're ever in the area.