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O’Charley’s founder Charles H. Watkins Jr. dies at 87O’Charley’s founder Charles H. Watkins Jr. dies at 87

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 18, 2011

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

Charles H. Watkins Jr., founder of the O’Charley’s restaurant chain, died Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. He was 87.

Watkins formed O’Charley’s Inc. in 1971, which opened its first restaurant in Nashville. He sold the company 11 years later and then developed several other concepts, including co-founding Cheeseburger Charley’s with his son in 1988.

“We are saddened by the passing of Mr. Watkins, and we appreciate his entrepreneurial vision in setting standards in the first O’Charley’s restaurant that we work hard to live up to every day,” David W. Head, O’Charley’s president and chief executive, said. “Our sympathy and prayers go out to his family.”

O’Charley’s Inc. now operates or franchises 227 of its flagship brand in 18 states, 106 Ninety Nine Restaurant locations and 10 Stoney River restaurants.

The family said Watkins had been in ill health and that he died peacefully in his sleep.

Watkins, a native of Paris, Tenn., served for 20 years as a Marine Corps pilot and retired as a major in 1963. He became the assistant to Kemmons Wilson, founder and chairman of Holiday Inns of America, and moved to Nashville in 1966 to open a Shakey’s Pizza franchise. He later founded Al Hirt’s Sandwich Saloon before starting O’Charley’s.

Watkins is survived by a twin sister, Charlotte Canon of Florence, Ala.; his son, Charles H. “Chuck” Watkins III; two daughters, Marcy Gemmill and Carole Dahlinger, both of Nashville; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Marshall Donnelly Combs funeral home in Nashville, with services at 1 p.m. Monday at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless
 

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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