Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a classic American restaurant, has hired Brian McAlpine as chief financial officer.

He joins the corporate team and staff at 36 locations nationwide with more than 28 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. As CFO, he will lead and develop financial strategies, business plans and budgeting processes.

“Brian’s financial knowledge and proven experience will play a pertinent role in our growth,” says Firebirds’ CEO Mark Eason. “Brian not only has an impressive established background, but a determination that will be an invaluable asset to the team.”

Previously, he worked in the financial planning and analysis area of the Denny’s concept at Advantica Restaurant Group. He is credited with creating the finance department at the largest Denny’s franchise, DenAmerica Corporation, and spent more than four years working with Denny’s franchise restaurants and company-owned Black-Eyed Pea restaurants. He most recently spent 14 years as SVP of financial planning at The Cato Corporation, a publically held women’s apparel retailer.