SEATTLE Multiconcept operator Restaurants Unlimited Inc. said late Wednesday it has named industry veteran Norman Abdallah chief executive and president, replacing Steven Stoddard, who announced his resignation last month.
Abdallah most recently was senior vice chairman and president of Egyptian-based Amer International, a hotel and real estate company and licensee of the Carino's Italian Grill chain. He joined Amer last summer after stepping down as CEO of the Austin, Texas-based company he founded, Fired Up Inc., which is the parent of the 160-unit Carino's chain. Abdallah also worked for several years at Brinker International Inc. of Dallas.
Stoddard had been with RUI for more than 25 years, including 11 as CEO. An RUI spokesman in February cited the economic crisis and "differing views" about the direction of the company under new ownership as reasons for Stoddard's departure. Private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners acquired RUI in 2007.
"We are excited to have Norman Abdallah as RUI's new CEO," Thomas Taylor, managing director at Sun Capital, said in a statement Wednesday. "His proven track record of leadership and vision to grow companies will deliver the goals that we have put forth for our brands."
Seattle-based RUI operates 58 restaurants in 13 states, including 15 Kincaid's units, 10 Palomino's units and 10 Stanford's Bar and Grill locations. Its other brands include Palisade, Portland City Grill, Cutters Bayhouse, Scott's Bar and Grill, Ryan's Grill, Maggie Bluff's, Manzana Grill, Billy Heartbeat's and Pizzeria Fondi.
Contact Molly Gise at [email protected].