Luby's Inc., parent of the namesake cafeteria chain and Fuddruckers, this week said longtime chief operating officer Harris J. Pappas has retired.
The 66-year-old Pappas remains on the company’s board. His successor is Peter Tropoli, who had joined Luby’s in 2001 as senior vice president of administration and general counsel. In addition, Benjamin “Todd” Coutee was promoted to senior vice president of operations.
Luby’s also said Chris Pappas, chief executive and president, had extended his employment contract through August 2012.
Gasper Mir, Luby’s chairman, said in a statement that “since March 2001, Harris has led our restaurant operations with a focus on the highest level of customer service and has raised our food quality standards.”
Tropoli has been involved in all aspects of the business operations and management of the company, including its acquisition of Fuddruckers in 2010.
Todd Coutee joined Luby's in 2006 as an area leader and was promoted in 2007 to director of operations development. Most recently, he was vice president of operations for Luby’s culinary services division.
Luby's owns 96 Luby’s Cafeterias, owns and franchises 185 Fuddruckers, operates three Koo Koo Roo restaurants and provides foodservice management at 19 sites through its culinary services division.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
