TAMPA Fla. Shells Seafood Restaurants has hired Dallas BBQ vet Marc Bernstein as its chief executive, effective April 14.
Bernstein replaces Leslie Christon, who exited Shells suddenly last month to “pursue other opportunities,” the company said.
Bernstein joins Shells after 10 years at New York City-based Dallas BBQ, where he served in a variety of roles, including director of operations. Before Dallas BBQ, he was the owner and operator of several eateries in the New York area.
Warren R. Nelson, a 14-year Shells veteran who was named interim president after Christon's departure, will take on that role permanently in addition to his duties as chief financial officer.
"We are delighted to welcome someone with Marc's extensive restaurant experience to lead Shells through these difficult economic times," said board chairman Philip Chapman. "His high energy, hands-on management style will be ideal for leading the Shells brand back toward financial stability, profitability and growth."
The 23-unit casual seafood chain has been struggling in recent quarters with soft sales and declining same-store sales, coupled with increasing commodity expenses and a higher-than-federal minimum wage rate in Florida.
For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 30, Shells reported a loss of $1.5 million on a 21.7-percent revenue decline to $7.6 million. Same-store sales for the quarter fell 18.3 percent.
