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Breakout Brands 2014: 4 Rivers SmokehouseBreakout Brands 2014: 4 Rivers Smokehouse

NRN presents the 2014 Breakout Brands: 10 hot, emerging restaurant concepts generating excitement in the industry. Share your thoughts on this year’s picks via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter using #BreakoutBrands.

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 25, 2014

3 Min Read
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BREAKOUT FACTORS

Breakout Factors

• Hot culinary niche
• Innovative approach to food/operations

Take a closer look at the factors that make these concepts breakout brands >>

Floridians historically have preferred pork barbecue over beef brisket, but they are showing hearty love to the “sophisticated Texas-style” fare offered at five-unit 4 Rivers Smokehouse.

Winter Park, Fla.-based 4R Restaurant Group LLC will open three new fast-casual restaurants this year, bringing the company’s total to eight units in Northern Florida, with projected sales of $24 million, said founder John Rivers.

“Our plan is to open three to four a year,” said Rivers, who ended a 20-year career as a pharmaceutical executive to launch the 4 Rivers concept in October 2009.

The chain...

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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

 

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