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American Restaurant Concepts names new CEOAmerican Restaurant Concepts names new CEO

Industry veteran Richard W. Akam will lead growth of the company's Dick's Wings & Grill chain

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 22, 2013

1 Min Read
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American Restaurant Concepts Inc., parent to the regional Dick’s Wings & Grill concept, has named industry veteran Richard W. Akam chief executive, the company said Monday.

Akam succeeds Michael Rosenberger, who will resign from all officer and director positions effective July 31.

Akam served as chief executive at Hooters of America LLC from 1995 to 2003, and chief operating officer of First Watch, Raving Brands and Twin Peaks.

Dick's Wings & Grill serves chicken wings, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads and waffle fries in a family-oriented, sports-themed atmosphere.

Lafayette, La.-based American Restaurant Concepts said in a statement that Akam would focus on expanding Dick’s Wings franchises outside its Florida base. The chain currently has one restaurant in Georgia.

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“Rick and his group have the experience, relationships and financial resources that are necessary to grow the company into a national brand,” Rosenberger said.

Akam said in prepared remarks: “We will be appointing additional management and board members to the company in the immediate future so that we have the intellectual and financial resources necessary to execute upon our aggressive growth plans.”

Rosenberger said he had helped grow the company from its founding in 2000 into a publicly traded franchise company.

American Restaurant Concepts operates and franchises 15 full-service Dick's Wings & Grill restaurants and two Dick's Wings Express units.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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