SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Kona Grill Inc. said Friday that Mark L. Bartholomay had resigned as chief operating officer of the 24-unit chain “to pursue other business and personal interests.”
From May until earlier this month, Bartholomay also had served as interim president and chief executive of the American grill-sushi chain since the resignation of Marcus Jundt.
Kona’s board on Nov. 2 named Marc Buehler president and CEO. Buehler most recently had been chief executive of LS Management Inc. of Dallas, parent to the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon and Texas Land and Cattle Steak House brands.
In a statement Friday, Kona board member Tony Winczewski said, “On behalf of the board of directors, management team, and the entire organization, I want to thank Mark for his dedication and many contributions to Kona Grill over the past few years. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Kona Grill, which has restaurants in 15 states, reported a net loss of $1 million for its September-ended third quarter. That loss was down from a net loss of $3.9 million in the same period last year, which included a $3.2 million charge related to a restaurant’s closing. Latest-quarter revenue rose 3.7 percent, to $20.2 million, which reflected five new restaurants. Same-stores fell 9.9 percent.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
