Homestyle Dining LLC, parent to the Bonanza and Ponderosa steakhouse franchises, said Thursday that Thomas A. Sacco had been named president and chief executive, replacing Tamara S. Jones.
Sacco announced this and other management changes at Plano, Texas-based Homestyle Dining in a memo to developers and franchisees. "As a result of this restructuring, Tamara Jones is no longer with the company," he said. "I want to thank Tamara for her many contributions to the organization during her tenure and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
Jones had been president and chief executive of the company since June 2010 and previously served as chief financial officer for Metromedia Restaurant Group. MRG was one of the entities, along with Steak & Ale and Bennigan’s, that filed for bankruptcy in July 2008. Homestyle Dining was one of the companies that emerged from bankruptcy in October 2009.
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Sacco, who had been named chief operating officer and executive vice president of Homestyle Dining in July 2012, said other management changes at Homestyle included the following:
• Ed Herman was named vice president of company operations.
• Andy Short was named director of operations support, overseeing training and information technology.
• Chef Al Good will report to Dave McDonald, senior vice president of purchasing and distribution.
Sacco, in his memo to franchisees, said, “I am very excited to be taking on this challenge and I am grateful that our owners have placed their trust in me. Our brands have tremendous potential and I am confident that by working collaboratively we will enjoy shared success.”
He noted his background in “various senior-level leadership roles” at such restaurant chains as BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Fox Sports Grill, Western Sizzlin Steakhouse and Wyatt’s Cafeterias.
Sacco added that he will provide "additional clarification regarding the realignment of responsibilities and support" at the company in the coming weeks. As of press time, his office had not responded to a query from Nation's Restaurant News.
Homestyle Dining has more than 200 Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Asia and the Middle East.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: Feb. 4, 2013 An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the year Sacco joined Homestyle Dining.
Contact Ron Ruggless at ronald.ruggless@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless
