Ignite Restaurant Group Inc., parent to the Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap chains, said Tuesday it had hired industry veteran Jim Doak in the new position of vice president of menu innovation and corporate executive chef.
The Houston-based casual-dining company said Doak’s hiring was effective Sept. 10. The company also announced the promotions of Kristen Temple to vice president of marketing and Deanna Parr to vice president of design services.
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Doak, who joins the Ignite team from Prairie du Sac, Wis.-based Culver Franchising System Inc., will oversee all menu and beverage development for both Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap.
Doak has held management positions at such brands as Applebee’s International and Metromedia Restaurant Group.
“Jim’s expertise and reputation as a culinary trendsetter make him a very strong addition to our team as we work to grow our brands across the country,” said Robin Ahearn, Ignite’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in a statement.
In the other promotions, Temple will set strategy for marketing and menu planning. Parr will lead creative development for both Ignite brands, overseeing menu design, television production, digital and website communications, and décor and design for locations.
Ignite Restaurant Group, which went public in early summer, owns and operations 124 Joe's Crab Shack restaurants in 31 states and 16 Brick House Tavern units in nine states.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
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