Del Frisco’s taps new presidents to head individual brands

Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group Inc. has created new president positions at each of its three brands, the company said Tuesday.

The Southlake, Texas-based company named Ray Risley president of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House and Scott C. Smith president of Sullivan’s Steakhouse. A brand president for Del Frisco’s Grille will be named later, the company said.

“Having an individual brand president for each of our three concepts will help us achieve our strategic vision,” said Norman Abdallah, DFRG CEO, in a statement. “We believe that highlighting our three separate and distinguished brands will benefit our overall performance.”

In the new position, Risley, who served most recently as senior vice president of operations for Del Frisco’s Grille, will oversee the 12 Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House locations. Risley, who has been with the company for more than 18 years, helped develop the Grille concept. He also served as vice president of operations for Sullivan's and opening regional manager for the New York City and Dallas Grille locations.

“Ray has spent nearly his entire career with our company and not only has deep knowledge of our three concepts, but also has demonstrated excellence in operational leadership,” Abdallah said.

Smith most recently served as chairman and CEO of the Plano, Texas-based Day Star Restaurant Group Inc., parent to the Texas Land & Cattle and Lone Star Steakhouse brands. Prior to co-founding that group, Smith served as senior vice president of Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Previously, Smith held leadership roles at Restaurants Unlimited Inc., Amer Group’s restaurant division, TRH Restaurants, Quality Dining Inc. and Brinker International Inc., where he was director of franchise operations. 

“We’re thrilled that Scott has joined the Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group family,” Abdallah said. “His understanding of restaurant-brand positioning coupled with his robust franchising experience makes him the ideal candidate to oversee Sullivan’s Steakhouse.”

Earlier this month, Del Frisco’s released preliminary and unaudited sales results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 27, reporting that systemwide same-store sales increased 0.8 percent. Fourth-quarter same-store sales increased 0.1 percent at the Double Eagle Steak House, 0.9 percent at Sullivan’s and 2.1 percent at Del Frisco’s Grille, the company said. 

Del Frisco's Restaurant Group has 53 restaurants across 24 states and Washington, D.C. 

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