Beef 'O' Brady's Appoints New CEO to Take Franchise Brand to Next Level

By: Beef 'O' Brady's | 2 Shares 250 Reads

Family-Friendly Sports Pub Franchise Appoints 30+ Year Food Service Veteran Chris Elliott

March 30, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tampa, FL – Beef 'O' Brady's, a 250-unit restaurant franchise known for its fresh and flavorful chicken wings and burgers, as well as the bond they create with communities across the country, has appointed Chris Elliott, a 30-year broad-based food service veteran, as CEO.

Elliot spent the last 15 years in key senior leadership positions at recognized national food brands, including President of Cinnabon, President and COO of Morrison's Fresh Cooking, and COO of Church's Chicken. He also led in the creation of Fiesta Brands, an El Pollo Loco franchise in Atlanta, GA. Elliott's track record of success includes strategy development in difficult turnaround situations, taking Morrison's Fresh Cooking public, and spearheading the strategic divestiture of Cinnabon.

His top priorities for Beef 'O' Brady's are to grow unit-level sales, increase profitability, and expand the franchise system.

"Having been in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years, with five different brands at the corporate level, as well as having the experience as a franchisee, I understand how both sides need to work together to be successful," Elliott said. "I'm energized about the opportunity and challenge to grow Beef 'O' Brady's into a respected national brand."

Elliott will be replacing outgoing CEO Chuck Winship, who served with Beef 'O' Brady's since 1998 and helped grow the brand from 33 restaurants to more than 250 today.

"Chuck built a solid foundation for continued growth of Beef 'O' Brady's by refining the franchise model, extending the menu and proving that the concept could work anywhere," said Nick Vojnovic, President of Beef 'O' Brady's. "While his leadership will be missed, we're looking forward to a new chapter in the development of the Beef's brand with Chris."

The announcement of the new leadership comes just after the launch of several new innovations for Beef 'O' Brady's, including a targeted expansion of the brand into new venues, such as hotels, golf courses and college campuses, a new menu design with enhanced offerings, and the launch of a new, interactive web site geared towards engaging its loyal fans in communities nationwide.

About Beef `O' Brady's

Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The "kid appeal" of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef 'O' Brady's has more than 250 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest.

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