E. John Banquil Jr., president and CEO of Ling & Louie’s Restaurants, has been named to the 2025 Phoenix Titan 100 Hall of Fame, which recognizes top CEOs and C-level executives in the region.
Banquil joined Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill in 2008 as an assistant general manager. Over the next decade, he worked in every part of the operation, eventually purchasing the company in 2019.
Months later, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered dining rooms nationwide. Banquil responded by streamlining operations, launching the delivery-only Ghost Street Asian Taqueria, and modernizing the brand. According to the company, revenue has grown 40% in the past three years.
“Leadership isn’t about having every answer,” Banquil said. “It’s about building the right team and moving forward with purpose.”
Ling & Louie’s Restaurants now operates three concepts: the flagship Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, the fast-casual Ling’s Wok Shop, and Ghost Street Asian Taqueria, which is preparing for its first brick-and-mortar location.
The Titan 100 program, presented by Titan CEO, honors executives for vision, leadership and impact. This year’s class represents more than $43 billion in revenue and nearly 350,000 Arizona jobs.
Banquil and other honorees will be recognized Sept. 25 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.