Human Resources

📍 Chris Tebben appointed President and CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. effective September 4, succeeding Frances Allen. Tebben has leadership experience with Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang's, and Pizza Hut. Led Mars Retail Group since 2022, previously expanded Starbucks Reserve, including opening the world's largest Starbucks in Chicago. His career covers strategic planning, operations, restaurant development, and marketing in both Fortune 100 and private equity-owned firms. David Barr, Checkers & Rally's Independent Board Member, announced the appointment and thanked Frances Allen for her service.

🍽 Sage Hospitality Group acquired Mercantile Dining & Provision in Denver, Colorado, joining over 50 venues under Sage Restaurant Concepts. Mercantile, opening in 2014, is set for a 2025 renovation. The restaurant accommodates 108 guests plus 75 outdoors. Chef Alex Seidel partners with Sage, focusing on comfort food with a modern twist. Sage COO Justin Fowler oversees operations with Seidel's culinary team, aiming for growth and culinary excellence.

📖 Damola Adamolekun, former P.F. Chang's CEO, appointed as CEO of RL Investor Holdings LLC, an entity to potentially acquire Red Lobster Management LLC. Fortress Investment Group announced the move today, with involvement from TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch. Red Lobster operates 544 locations in 44 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Adamolekun is recognized with three GLOBEE Leadership Gold awards in 2021 and featured on Nation’s Restaurant News' Power List in 2022.

📖 Damola Adamolekun, former P.F. Chang’s executive, appointed as CEO of RL Investor Holdings LLC by Fortress Investment Group. The entity, involving TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch, is awaiting bankruptcy court approval to acquire Red Lobster Management LLC. Red Lobster, with 544 locations across 44 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, will remain independent. Adamolekun's previous roles include CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at P.F. Chang's, Partner at Paulson & Co., and positions at Goldman Sachs and TPG Capital. In 2021, he won three GLOBEE Leadership Gold awards and a Silver award, and in 2022, was listed in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List.

🍴 Damola Adamolekun, former P.F. Chang's CEO, is set to lead Red Lobster as CEO pending court approval. Fortress Investment Group, TCW Private Credit, and Blue Torch created RL Investor Holdings LLC to acquire Red Lobster, which operates 544 locations across 44 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Adamolekun, awarded three GLOBEE Leadership Gold awards in 2021 and featured on the 2022 Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List, has a Goldman Sachs and TPG Capital background.

📢 Fortress Investment Group appoints Damola Adamolekun, former P.F. Chang's CEO, to lead Red Lobster upon bankruptcy court approval. A new entity, RL Investor Holdings LLC, created by Fortress alongside TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch, aims to acquire Red Lobster Management LLC. Red Lobster, operating independently with 544 locations across 44 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, anticipates revitalization under Adamolekun's leadership. Adamolekun has a notable finance and strategy background with awards for his leadership and has been recognized by top financial and industry publications.

📢 Twenty Four Seven Hotels expanded its leadership team, appointing Brian Hughes as executive vice president of business development and promoting Damien Abrams as vice president of lifestyle brands. Crescent Hotels & Resorts named Vanessa Claspill as chief commercial officer. GF Hotels & Resorts welcomed back John Parker as COO and hired Marcus Marshall as vice president of F&B. MGM Resorts International added Keith Barr to its board of directors. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego announced Mat Greene as managing director. Highgate appointed Nicholas Kuhns as GM of Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, while Andaz Maui at Wailea named Richard Elliott as GM. Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel selected Ludo de Jong as GM, and AC Hotel Columbus Dublin welcomed Deniz Akyuz as GM.

📌 Cloudbeds, a hospitality management technology firm, appoints Linda Vallner as Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Vallner, with expertise from Protel Hotelsoftware and Oracle Hospitality, particularly as Director of OPERA Product Suite, aims to transform the industry standard. Cloudbeds, founded in 2012 and recognized by Hotel Tech Report and World Travel Awards, serves properties in over 150 countries and was listed in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in 2023.

🏨 Ana Atienza became Guest Relations Manager at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, where she oversees guest satisfaction. After studying hotel and restaurant management in the Philippines, Ana chose hospitality over broadcasting. She started her career as a barista and management trainee in the Philippines before advancing in the hospitality industry in San Francisco. The episode discusses the value of customer service, the challenges at the front desk, and the need for passion and patience in hospitality. Ana's advice includes not taking things personally and focusing on guest interactions. The discussion also highlights San Francisco's allure for visitors. 📅 August 25, 2024.

🍴 Senior Food & Beverage Editor Bret Thorn has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. He launched the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" and wrote "Kitchen Dish" for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008. Educated at Tufts University (BA in History, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and Le Cordon Bleu Paris, he also studied in China and worked for ABC News during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and authored entries in the Oxford Encyclopedia and Companion in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He's a Disciples d’Escoffier inductee as of 2014.