Restaurant and Food Service Blog

The first movements of the new year in the chain restaurant industry are beginning to show as Captain D’s announced that David Head has been promoted to Chairman and CEO of the Nashville-based seafood restaurant chain. Head had been president and COO, overseeing all aspects of the business since joining the company in 2006. This is in the wake of Nick Shepherd, Chairman and CEO of Captain D’s parent company Sagittarius Brands, departing the business in February to become President and CEO of Carrollton, TX-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc., parent company of TGI Friday’s and Pick Up Stix. Then back to Sagittarius Brands and Del Taco, Del Taco announced that Paul J.B. Murphy III has been named the new Chairman and CEO of the Mexican quick serve chain. Murphy will take over this new role in mid-February and will report directly to the company’s Board of Directors.

With all the movement starting, it will be interesting what new changes will also take place. With Raising Canes officially moving their headquarters from Baton Rouge, LA to Plano, TX, the QSR Chicken restaurant company is looking to build expansion and attract more talent as they continue to grow. They will be another interesting player to keep a watch on for the up coming year. Todd Graves, the founder of the company will remain in Louisiana to assist with the smaller office there that will lend support to the local units there.

As we look to how 2009 will turn out in the restaurant industry, there is sure to be more changes in personnel as well as major reorganization.