“We’ve realized we’ve been so blessed that it’s important for us to give back.” True Food Kitchen restaurants and cookbook, swapping recipes with Justin Timberlake and being named a James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur a whopping 11 times. Last year, in a move than shocked the foodie world, his Fox Restaurant Concepts was acquired and became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cheesecake Factory. The deal was worth more than $350 million. But back in the 90s, Sam’s goals were more quotidian. “It really was to make sure my first restaurant stayed open and I could pay my bills,” he said. “I spent a lot of time early in my career just trying to survive. That’s a great foundation for who I am and how I run my business today.” What also laid a great foundation was his marriage to Emily, who he met in his restaurant when she was in college. They were at different points in their lives at the time, but he kept running into the vivacious blonde around town. “She worked at a golf course as a golf cart girl, and her boss was someone who worked for me for a while, so we had a lot of crossovers,” Sam said. Finally, when Emily was ready to graduate, Sam asked her on a date. They will have been married 22 years this May. The couple moved to Phoenix in 2000, in part to be closer to Emily’s family. Emily grew up in Phoenix and attended grade school and high school here. She’s one of six kids in a close-knit family. “My parents are still in the house that I grew up in,” she said. “I have a brother who lives four doors down and a sister who lives on the same street. Being around family and cousins was important to us, especially as we were starting to have kids.” Fast-forward to today, when they’re doing their level best to raise those kids to become quality people. As parents, Sam and Emily stress the importance of getting good grades, making good choices and staying motivated. Philanthropy also comes high on the list. “We’ve realized we’ve been so blessed that it’s important for us to give back,” Emily said. 24 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | MARCH 2 020

For Sam, it again goes back to the family business. “I mean, it’s real easy. In our company, we serve people every day, so we have that philosophy as a family as well,” he said. “We’ve been very supported by the community, so we find it fortunate that we’re able to support the community that we live in ourselves.” One of the organizations the Foxes give to is Phoenix Women’s Board of the Steele Children’s Research Center, affectionately known as PANDA (People Acting Now Discover Answers). Since its founding in 1999, PANDA has raised more than $15 million to improve treatments and find cures for devastating childhood diseases as well as fund and recruit top pediatric physicians and scientists to Arizona so families can access the most cutting-edge care. PANDA’s entirely volunteer board is comprised of more than 150 women in the Phoenix area, including Emily’s sister and sister-in-law. Each year, PANDA holds a benefit fashion show, which the Fox family supports. In fact, Noah and Chloe walked the runway seven or eight years ago, and the family has attended the shows ever since. A few years ago, PANDA approached the Foxes and asked them to be the first title sponsor. “Yes came out of our mouths super quickly,” Sam said. “The women of PANDA have silently dedicated their lives to fight for children and families affected by disease.” So, after Fox Restaurant Concepts was acquired last year, the Foxes wanted PANDA to know they weren’t going anywhere. FRC and the Fox family made a three- year gift to the organization, which will bring their total contribution to more than $1 million. “We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support and commitment to our mission,” said Tammy Ryan, PANDA’s board president. “They are funding groundbreaking research at the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center and touching the lives of so many people.” “For us, it checks a lot of different boxes,” Sam said. “Obviously, we’re fond of children’s charities. And geographically, it’s a good fit too. The Steele Center is in Tucson, where I grew up, and it has a connection to the university and the amazing things they’ve done down there.” That’s the kind of thoughtful approach — connecting business to life and family — that Sam and Emily want to instill in their children. “It’s important that our kids see that we give back so that they have that in their blood and their bones and realize the importance,” Emily said. Chloe is in the National Charity League and tutors kids after school at CASA Academy, and Noah sits on the teen board at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. A few years ago, PANDA approached the Foxes and asked them to be the first title sponsor. “Yes came out of our mouths super quickly,” Sam said.