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Bennigan’s taps Goronkin as CEOBennigan’s taps Goronkin as CEO

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 23, 2009

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Bennigan’s Franchising Co. has charged David Goronkin, as its new president and chief executive, with revitalizing the casual-dining brand that was liquidated last summer by its former parent company.

Goronkin, 46, replaces interim chief executive Vince Runco. Most recently Goronkin was chief executive and president at Redstone American Grill Inc. in Wayzata, Minn., operator of five upscale casual restaurants. Prior to that role he served as president and chief executive for four years at Minneapolis-based Famous Dave’s of America Inc., the parent to the 170-unit barbecue chain.

“Bennigan’s is a vintage American brand and the upside potential is tremendous,” Goronkin said in a statement. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with our franchise partners to enhance Bennigan’s and build a strong future for our business.”

Dallas-based Bennigan’s Franchising, which is backed by a consortium of private-equity investors, oversees more than 100 namesake casual-dining restaurants and has operated the brand since July 2008, when previous owner Metromedia Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. It was one of the largest restaurant industry bankruptcies and exemplified the troubles many casual-dining chains have faced as guest traffic slowed and operating costs escalated amid the beginnings of this latest domestic recession.

Runco, an industry consultant with TR Global, will continue working with the company during a transition period.

Goronkin, before joining Famous Dave’s, was chief operating officer at Buffets Inc., operator of the HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet chains. He serves on the board of the National Restaurant Association and its educational foundation. In 2006, he received the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association’s Silver Plate Award.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

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]

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