Executive Movements — June 2008
SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwire - June 3, 2008) - The Habit Burger Grill, a Santa Barbara-based quick casual restaurant concept, announced the hiring of Russ Bendel as President and Chief Executive Officer. Bendel previously served as the President and COO of The Cheesecake Factory, and was the former CEO of Mimi's Café, a 133 unit casual dining concept.
Brent Reichard, the founder and CEO of the Habit Burger Grill, will step down as CEO but will remain active in the Company's growth as its Chairman. Dave Nordahl, the current President, will also stay actively involved in the future plans of the business and remain a Habit board member.
The company currently operates 20 units and is planning on opening 100-120 units over the next five to seven years in California, Arizona and Nevada. The company focus has always been on high quality food and its customer's satisfaction.Bendel brings years of experience with premium, growth restaurant brands to the Habit. In addition to his roles at Cheesecake Factory and Mimi's, he was involved in the early growth of other notable concepts including Outback, Roy's and El Torito.
"The Habit is a truly unique brand. It is well positioned in the premium, quick casual niche and its commitment to quality is exceptional," said Bendel. "I am very excited to be a part of the growth of this world class brand."
The Habit has been in business over 35 years. In 1976, Brent Reichard got his first job at the age of 16 at the original Habit in Goleta, Calif. and bought it four years later with his brother, Bruce. Brent and Bruce Reichard continue to wholly own the Santa Barbara stores, continuing a 32-year tradition of local ownership and community involvement.
CULVER CITY, Calif. — THE COUNTER, a seven-unit upscale burger chain, has named ED CASEY president and chief operating officer Casey´s 30 years in the industry includes stints at the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and T.G.I Friday’s chains. In addition, he has been the operating partner of an Applebee’s franchise group, and he is a franchisee of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill. Casey said he interested initially in becoming a franchisee of the five–year–old Counter concept, but was recruited to join the corporate office instead. The company has sold development rights to 130 locations, and an estimated 25 units are scheduled to open in the next two years.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — BJ’S RESTAURANTS INC. has assigned president and CEO GERALD “JERRY” DEITCHLE the additional responsibilities of chairman, the casual–dining operator said Wednesday after its shareholder meeting. Deitchle assumes the duties from company co–founders PAUL MOTENKO and JERRY HENNESSY, who split the post as co–chairmen. The two remain on BJ’s board. In making the announcement, the company noted that PETER BASSI is the board’s “lead independent director.” Bassi is the former chairman and president of Yum! Restaurants International, the overseas arm of Taco Bell parent Yum! Brands Inc. BJ’s operates 71 restaurants under the names BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, BJ’s Pizza & Grill, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.
BEAVERTON, Ore. — BRUCE MACDIARMID has stepped down as president and chief executive of the BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE chain to take the posts of president and CEO here at 99–unit SHARI’S FAMILY RESTAURANTS, beginning June 9. He left Black Angus, based in Los Altos, Calif., several weeks ago after the 75–unit chain was acquired by privateequity firm VERSA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT of Philadelphia, which specializes in restructurings and turnarounds. Versa’s website lists no other restaurant companies in its investment portfolio. At Shari’s, MacDiarmid will replace Larry Curtis, who had announced plans to retire from the regional chain after 24 years with the company.
Thirty–year industry veteran Kerry Kramp joined Sizzler USA this week as president and chief executive officer as the casual dining chain continues marking its 50th anniversary. Kramp succeeds Ken Cole, who resigned in February after seven years as president and CEO.
Kramp´s career has taken him from the kitchen to the executive suite at a wide array of restaurant and foodservice concepts, from start–ups to national brands.
"Having an industry superstar like Kerry Kramp lead our talented Sizzler USA team is extremely fortunate," said Kevin Perkins who served as acting president. "He is a highly skilled executive with a proven track record of success in a variety of restaurant–industry segments. He is a man of high integrity, and perhaps more importantly, he´s a great food guy."
OAK BROOK, Ill. — MCDONALD’S CORP. has hired CYNTHIA GOODY as director of nutrition, with responsibility for the chain’s 13,800 U.S. restaurants. A registered dietitian, Goody previously was a retail and clinical dietitian for Hy–Vee Food Stores and a faculty member at the Culinary Institute of America and with Harvard School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education. “McDonald’s is uniquely positioned as a lifestyle brand with tremendous influence on the lives of more than 26 million consumers in the U.S. every day,” Goody said. “The ability to positively impact the dietary choices our customers make is an enviable position for any food and nutrition professional.”
Yum! Brands Appoints Eaton President of KFC, USA.Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) today announced the appointment of Roger Eaton, 47, as President of KFC USA. He replaces Gregg Dedrick, 49, who has made a personal decision to leave by year´s end after 20 years with the Company so that he may pursue several outside business ventures and academic coursework. Rather than waiting until the end of the year, the Company appointed Eaton to replace Dedrick now so that there is an orderly transition. Eaton will report directly to David C. Novak, Yum! Brands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Dedrick will remain through a transition period until early 2009. In his new role, Eaton will be responsible for KFC´s $5.3 billion domestic business, which is predominantly franchised across 5,300 restaurants. For the last five months, Eaton has served as Yum! Brands Chief Operating and Development Officer, responsible for sharing global Operations Best Practices.
NEW YORK — RICHARD STOCKINGER has stepped down as president of high–end restaurant operator and contractor PATINA RESTAURANT GROUP to “pursue opportunities in mergers and acquisitions,” company officials said Thursday. Stockinger, who was named president in 2003, previously was the Patina group’s chief financial officer. He joined the company in 1985. Patina Restaurant Group is a multiconcept operator with restaurants and on–site foodservice operations split between the East and West coasts, including Rock Center Cafe, The Sea Grill, Brasserie and Naples 45 in New York; and Paperfish, Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse, Cafe Pinot and the flagship Patina in Southern California.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. — RUBY TUESDAY INC. has hired Wall Street veteran STEVE ROCKWELL to fill the newly created position of vice president of finance. Rockwell, who most recently was a portfolio manager and analyst at Brown Advisory, will direct the casual–dining chain’s investor relations, financial planning and banking. He also will serve as an executive on the company’s finance team. Before he joined Brown Advisory, Rockwell was director of research at regional banking firm Ferris Baker Watts. Before that, he was a managing director and senior research analyst for nearly 20 years at Alex Brown & Sons, where he spearheaded the firm’s restaurant practice. Ruby Tuesday operates or franchises more than 900 restaurants.
LAS VEGAS — KATHERINE JACOBI has been named interim president of the NEVADA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, replacing Paul Hartgen, who left last week to head the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Jacobi previously was executive director of the Nevada Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
SAN JOSE, WATERBURY, Conn. — The CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION has appointed ROBERT DEZINNO as its new president and CEO. A 30–year veteran of the industry, DeZinno, who replaces SIMON FLYNN, previously was the CRA’s vice president of education. No reason was given for Flynn’s departure. In his new role, DeZinno will develop marketing and branding strategies for Connecticut restaurants, seek to improve the state’s hospitality industry and increase association membership, the CRA said. He currently is managing partner of DT Media Group, where he develops marketing, branding and Web campaigns.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — TOGO’S EATERIES INC. has named JOHN RAMSAY vice president of development, officials of the deli sandwich specialty chain said this week. Ramsay previously was division vice president of real estate and franchise development for San Diego–based Jack in the Box Inc. He also has overseen franchising of the Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, Long John Silver’s and Sbarro brands. The 257–unit, all–franchised Togo’s chain was spun off last year by Canton, Mass.–based Dunkin’ Brands Inc. It’s now owned by private–equity firm MAINSAIL PARTNERS under TOGO’S HOLDINGS LLC, based in San Jose.
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. — HOWARD GORDON, senior vice president of business development and marketing for THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC., is leaving the company this year to launch his own firm, the GORDON GROUP, specializing in brand consulting and marketing. Gordon said he would remain with Cheesecake Factory through its imminent debut of a new restaurant concept called Rock Sugar Pan Asian Kitchen, in the Century City district of Los Angeles, and would be doing some work for the Calabasas Hills, Calif.–based company thereafter. Gordon joined Cheesecake Factory in 1997. The Cheesecake Factory Inc. operates 141 restaurants, including the namesake chain and 13 Grand Lux Cafes.
LAKE MARY, Fla. — CRAIG MILLER, who was fired about two weeks ago as chairman, CEO and president of RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE INC., will be paid $30,000 a month as a consultant to the company for six months or until his replacement is hired, the company has revealed in regulatory filings. The separation agreement was reached May 5, the same day Miller resigned from Ruth’s Chris’ board of directors. Once his consultation ends, Miller will receive 12 months of severance equal to his annual salary. His 2007 salary and bonuses were $560,127, and an SEC filing in March showed that the ousted CEO received a raise of 3.5 percent, or $17,000, in his base pay. Miller, who is subject to a 12–month noncompete period that began April 23, also will receive six months of outplacement services and be reimbursed up to $20,000 in legal fees, according to the filings.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — KEN CALWELL has left his post as chief marketing officer of DOMINO’S PIZZA INC. after nearly seven years, and Domino’s USA president PATRICK DOYLE is assuming his duties until a successor is named, the company said. Domino’s did not give a reason for Calwell’s departure. Doyle, who once was Domino’s marketing chief, will oversee all marketing functions for the No. 2 pizza chain, the company said.