Paul Robinson dies — legendary restaurateur created Gilbert/Robinson empire

The Houlihan’s restaurant chain is such a familiar part of Kansas City’s restaurant community, it’s hard to imagine that when restaurateurs Joe Gilbert and Paul Robinson launched the chain, in 1972, it was considered one of the most innovative, trend-setting dining concepts of its era.

Robinson, who co-founded the Gilbert/Robinson restaurant empire with Joe Gilbert in 1961, died at his home in Florida Monday at age 87.

But his legacy as a restaurant innovator will live on.