Craftworks names new financial chiefCraftworks names new financial chief

Craftworks Holdings Inc., parent to Logan's Roadhouse, Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom and other brands, has named Jim Lebs as chief financial officer, the company said Monday.

Lebs, who most recently served as CFO at Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, will report to Hazem Ouf, Craftworks chairman and CEO at the Nashville, Tenn.-based portfolio company.

Lebs will oversee strategic planning capabilities and financial-related functions such as accounting, financial planning and analysis, development and banking for Craftworks.

“Jim is a proven executive with expertise in finance, capital allocation and strategic planning,” said Ouf in a statement. “Jim also has a strong background in large-scale transformation efforts and has achieved outstanding results throughout his tenure. I am confident that Jim will play a key role as we accelerate growth, profitability and return on capital for our various brands.”

Prior to Pei Wei, Lebs served as CFO of Cicis Pizza and was the vice president of supply chain at Sonic Drive-Ins. Lebs started his career with Jack in the Box Inc.

Of his new role, Lebs said: “The core values of the company are consistent with my own: a commitment to accountability, operational excellence and delivering results.”

CraftWorks Holdings has more than 390 restaurants and breweries in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The company acquired Logan’s Roadhouse last November, expanding its brands that include Rock Bottom Restaurants & Breweries, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants and specialty restaurants such as Chophouse, Big River Grill, AIA Ale Works, Ragtime Tavern & Seafood Grill, Seven Bridges Grill & Brewery and Sing-Sing, a dueling-pianos concept.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless