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Red Robin names Carin Stutz COORed Robin names Carin Stutz COO

Stutz joins the chain from McAlister's Deli

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 29, 2016

1 Min Read
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Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. has named Carin Stutz as chief operating officer and executive vice president, the company said Friday.

Stutz, who most recently was president of Alpharetta, Ga.-based McAlister’s Deli, assumes a position that the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual-dining chain had eliminated in a June 2014 reorganization.

Paul Damico, president of McAlister’s Deli parent Focus Brands North America, said in a statement: “We have an awesome McAlister’s team in place that will ensure our franchisees are supported. In the interim, I will be focused on finding a replacement and actively involved in the day to day operations.”

At Red Robin, Stutz will be responsible for leading restaurant management teams at more than 440 company-owned U.S. and Canadian Red Robin restaurants and 11 Red Robin Burger Works locations as well as franchise operations. She will report to Denny Marie Post, who was named president of Red Robin in February.

“Carin is a proven leader in driving operational excellence, business results and profitability in the highly competitive fast-casual and casual-dining industry,” Post said in a statement.

Besides McAlister’s Deli, Stutz has worked in operations leadership roles at Cosi, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Wendy’s.

Stutz is also a past board chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum and a member of its board.

Red Robin has more than 530 restaurants across the United States and Canada.

Update: May 2, 2016  This story has been updated with comments from Focus Brands.

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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