In 1989, Robert Giaimo co-founded Silver Diner Inc., now the largest chain of diners in America. Having grown up in diners, he has always seen them as neighborhood gathering places where everyone can find something they like, day or night. Giaimo sought to bridge the gap between tablecloth restaurants and fast food. This vision came to fruition with the establishment of the first Silver Diner in Rockville, MD. Silver Diner, Inc. now has 15 locations, street and airport, in three states, and is in the process of developing plans for company owned and franchised restaurants both domestically and internationally.
Giaimo, a native New Yorker, moved to Washington, DC to pursue his undergraduate education at Georgetown University. As a freshman at Georgetown, Giaimo was responsible for opening and operating the first Blimpies outside of New York City, right here in Georgetown, DC. Prior to developing the Silver Diner concept, Giaimo founded and served as President of the innovative, award-winning American Café Restaurants; a pioneer in founding the “American Cuisine” movement, and included five gourmet markets and a catering. Giaimo also enrolled in Harvard University’s Smaller Company Management Program. Later, Giaimo was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine and Merrill Lynch in 1993.
Giaimo holds the philosophy that everyone can make a difference; we just have to get involved. He has put this philosophy to work by being an active member in the community.
Giaimo and Silver Diner are champions of community partnership. As an outgrowth of Silver Diner's fundraisers, Giaimo served as Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Gala Chairman and made a significant impact during his tenure, helping to establish the MDA Gala as a major Washington fundraising event. Giaimo continues to support MDA along with other causes that support the health and wellbeing of youth and young adults. Most recently, Giaimo founded the Silver Diner's Eat Well Do Well program (EWDW), an initiative that provides funds to improve nutrition and fitness programs in schools, bringing together local and national leaders in the food and educational world to make EWDW a replicable, public/private model national program.
Giaimo is active in initiatives that promote peaceful solutions to the conflict in the Middle East, including serving on the Board on OneVoice and chairing events that continue to promote dialogue on this vital issue.
Giaimo has been an active participant in supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for nearly ten years, working closely with the Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the cause. In 2012 Giaimo served as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Hitchcock Humanitarian Award Honoree.