Sponsored By

Brinker hires Applebee's vet for ops postBrinker hires Applebee's vet for ops post

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

June 1, 2009

1 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Brinker International Inc., parent of Chili's Grill & Bar and other casual-dining brands, said Monday it has named Carin Stutz senior vice president and chief operating officer of global business development.

Stutz most recently was executive vice president of operations for Applebee's International Inc. She also has served in a variety of leadership roles at Wendy's International Inc., Sodexo USA and Nutri/System Inc.

Stutz's new position was previously held by John Reale, whom Brinker promoted earlier this year to president of global business development.

"Carin's extensive background in restaurant operations and franchise management will be instrumental in helping the Brinker global development team achieve our goal to establish 500 international restaurants by 2014," Reale said.

 

At Brinker, Stutz will oversee restaurant operations for 205 international locations, working with franchisees and serving as a member of the Brinker global leadership team. She also will direct international franchise business reviews.

Stutz currently serves as secretary and a board member for the Women's Foodservice Forum.

Brinker International has nearly 1,700 restaurants in 28 nations. In addition to Chili's, its brands include On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano's Little Italy.

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]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.