Ignite overhauls executive teamIgnite overhauls executive team

Ignite Restaurant Group Inc. said Friday it has overhauled its management team with the closure of the Romano’s Macaroni Grill sale.

Stepping down are Michael Dixon, president and chief financial officer, and Jim Mazany, president of Joe’s Crab Shack, effective Friday.  Dixon, however, will stay on in a consulting capacity through May 15.

Brad Leist, senior vice president of accounting and finance, was promoted to the role of chief financial officer, replacing Dixon.

David Catalano, former president of Brick House Tavern Tap was promoted to chief operating officer, overseeing both Joe’s Crab Shack and the Brick House brand.

Ray Blanchette, the company’s CEO, will resume the title of Ignite president, taking on Dixon's role.

“In conjunction with the sale of Macaroni Grill, we are right-sizing our operations to create a leaner, more efficient organization,” said Blanchette in a statement. “In effect, we are returning to an organizational structure that closely resembles the structure in place prior to the acquisition and reduces annual corporate overhead by over $14 million.”

Ignite, which acquired Macaroni Grill in April 2013 from Golden Gate Capital, announced March 12 that it was selling the 171-unit brand to Phoenix-based Redrock Partners LLC, a company that includes former Macaroni Grill CEO John F. Gilbert III, in a deal valued at about $8.2 million.

Leist joined Ignite in 2012. Before joining the company, he was vice president, corporate controller at Builders FirstSource Inc. from 2004 to 2012, and he spent seven years at accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Catalano joined Ignite in 2013. Previously, he held senior operating roles at TGI Fridays, Hard Rock Café and Applebee’s franchise group Apple Gold.

In addition, Robyn Martin, senior counsel, was promoted to the role of general counsel.

“As part of this realignment, I’m very excited to be giving Brad, David and Robyn expanded roles within the Ignite organization,” Blanchette said in his statement. “Brad has been an integral part of building and developing Ignite’s infrastructure during the last few years and I am confident in his ability to lead our finance and accounting teams and build upon the foundation established under Mike Dixon’s tenure.”

Blanchette thanked Dixon and Mazany for their contributions, noting that Dixon joined the company in 2013 before the acquisition of Macaroni Grill and was instrumental in completing the purchase and integrating the business. Mazany was credited with building Joe’s Crab Shack from a $2.2 million average unit volume business into a $3.2 million AUV business.

“I wish both of them the best in their future endeavors,” he said.

Dixon said in a statement, “I believe that we’ve positioned the company for success. I’m confident that the Ignite business is in good hands and well positioned and equipped to take advantage of the growth opportunities ahead.”

As of Dec. 29, the Houston-based company had 139 Joe’s and 21 Brick House units.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
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