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Twin Peaks co-founder steps downTwin Peaks co-founder steps down

Scott Gordon to focus on Front Burner in wake of sale

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

October 17, 2016

1 Min Read
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Scott Gordon, co-founder of the Twin Peaks chain, has stepped down in the wake of an agreement with La Cima Restaurants LLC to take a majority stake in the brand, the company said Monday.

Gordon, who founded Twin Peaks with Randy DeWitt in 2005, is retiring to spend more time with family and on other ventures, the company said. On Oct. 10, Twin Peaks said it had sold a majority interest in the Dallas-based franchisor to La Cima.

Gordon most recently served as Twin Peaks president of franchise operations and will continue to work with DeWitt as a partner in Front Burner Restaurants, which owns and operates such brands as Ida Claire, Mexican Sugar, The Ranch at Las Colinas, Sixty Vines, Velvet Taco and Whiskey Cake.

“I’ve been working hard in this business since my teens, and am ready for a change,” Gordon said in a statement. “With the pending sale of our Twin Peaks brand, it is the right time to take some time to travel and most importantly, hit the gym.”

“Scott has been a huge part of Twin Peaks’ success since our first restaurant in Lewisville,” said DeWitt, chairman of Front Burner. “He said he’s excited to have more time with his granddaughter, but, knowing Scott, I fully expect he’ll be back involved in running restaurants before too long.”

Prior to Twin Peaks, Gordon served as president of Tia’s Tex Mex and chief operating officer of La Madeleine French Bakery & Café.

Twin Peaks owns and franchises 78 restaurants in 25 states.

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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