Bloomin’ Brands Inc., parent to Outback Steakhouse and other brands, has named Michael L. Spanos CEO, effective Sept. 3, succeeding David Deno, the company said Monday.
The Tampa, Fla.-based Bloomin’ said Spanos will join the company from Delta Airlines, where he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Deno announced his impending retirement in May and will serve in a transitional role until Dec. 31, the company said.
“We have found an ideal strategist, operations and cultural leader in Mike,” Michael Mohan, Bloomin’ board chair, said in a statement. “Our board believes that his experience operating complex, multi-unit businesses will benefit our iconic, founder-inspired brands. He has a customer-first mindset for leading established organizations through challenging environments.”
Spanos added: “We have such a classic set of heritage brands that my family and I have enjoyed over many years.”
“On behalf of the board, I thank David Deno for his leadership for the past 12 years, including the past five as chief executive officer,” Mohan said. “He leaves the company with a strengthened financial foundation, a strong balance sheet and a leadership team dedicated to delivering long-term sustainable growth to our shareholders. We are grateful for his dedication.”
Prior to Delta, Spanos led Six Flags Entertainment as CEO and president, and spent more than 25 years at PepsiCo and the Pepsi Bottling Group in various positions.
Spanos is a non-executive director at Casey’s General Store where he is a member of the audit committee.
Bloomin’ Brands has four brands, including Outback, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. The company owns and operates more than 1,450 restaurants in 46 states, Guam and 13 countries, some of which are franchised.
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