[2] The chain grew rapidly and was named the fastest growing franchise by the National Restaurant Association in 1977, 1978 and 1979.

[citation needed] In 1986, Pillsbury named Herman Cain CEO and president of the brand.

Cain and Ronald B. Gartlan, the company's executive vice president, led a group to purchase the Godfather's brand from Pillsbury, which they did by the beginning of 1990 in a leveraged buyout[4] for what was reported to be $100 million.

[6] Under Cain's leadership, Godfather's closed approximately 200 restaurants and eliminated several thousand jobs, and by doing so returned to profitability.

[11] "The Godfather" has been played by two Omaha actors, the first being J. William Koll,[12] who typically wore a white fedora hat, a pin stripe suit, and a flower on his jacket.