Hazem Ouf exits company after bankruptcy filing; Marc Buehler, a former leader of Champps and O’Charley’s, is promoted to CEO
March 24, 2020
Craftworks Holdings, operator of Logan's Roadhouse and Gordon Biersch Brewery, has named Marc Buehler as the company’s new CEO.
Buehler, who previously served as a company president, takes on the position as the company reorganizes under bankruptcy protection and deals with the blow of temporarily closing nearly 340 restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nashville, Tenn.-based company said Buehler, a former leader of Champps and O’Charley’s, was named CEO on March 20.
He replaces Hazem Ouf, who had been CEO of the company since late 2018. CraftWorks declined to comment on Ouf’s departure.
Buehler steps into the position as the company temporarily shutters 338 restaurants in 39 states. The company's portfolio includes Logan's Roadhouse, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, The ChopHouse, Ragtime Tavern and A1A Ale Works.
As a result of the temporary closures, dozens of employees have been furloughed.
Chief Experience Officer Josh Kern said CraftWorks, which also has offices in Colorado, is operating with a very small team.
“We fully intend to reopen when this national crisis is over,” Kern said. “We are very confident by closing the restaurants we will be able to open quickly when various municipalities open across the country.”
Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven
For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.
