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Bar Louie names Tony Wehner COOBar Louie names Tony Wehner COO

Former Logan’s executive succeeds James Hughes

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

June 1, 2017

1 Min Read
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BL Restaurant Operations LLC, parent to the Bar Louie casual-dining chain, has named Tony Wehner chief operating officer, the company said Thursday.

Wehner succeeds James “Smokey” Hughes, who will retire from the 125-unit, Addison, Texas-based company in July.

Wehner (left) most recently served as senior vice president of operations for Nashville, Tenn.-based Logan’s Roadhouse. He previously held leadership positions at On The Border, Chili’s Grill & Bar and Red Lobster.

He will be responsible for operations at Bar Louie’s company-owned restaurants.

"Tony is an accomplished operations leader with a proven history of success," Bar Louie CEO John Neitzel said in a statement. "We are very fortunate to have his experience and talents as part of our team.”

Wehner said: "This is my opportunity to help Bar Louie sustain growth while protecting its one-of-a-kind culture. I'm a longtime fan and feel honored to be part of the Bar Louie family."

Bar Louie, founded in 1991, has restaurants in 29 states. The brand was acquired in 2010 by private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners.

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

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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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