Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc. announced that the company named Ray Risley as Brand President of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House and Scott C. Smith as Brand President of Sullivan’s Steakhouse, effective immediately. The company is implementing Brand Presidents to lead the management and growth of each concept with the goal of creating greater distinction between its three restaurant brands—Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, and Del Frisco’s Grille. The Brand President of Del Frisco’s Grille will be named at a later date.
“Having an individual Brand President for each of our three concepts will help us achieve our strategic vision,” says Norman Abdallah, CEO of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group. “As we continue to focus on driving guest traffic and long-term value for shareholders, we believe that highlighting our three separate and distinguished brands will benefit our overall performance.”
As Brand President of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Risley will lead the operations of the concepts’ 12 restaurant locations. Risley most recently held the role of Senior Vice President of Operations, Overseeing Del Frisco’s Grille. Risley has been with Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group for over 18 years and was a member of the team that developed the Grille concept. He also previously served as Vice President of Operations for Sullivan’s Steakhouse and the Opening Regional Manager for the first Del Frisco’s Grille restaurants, located in New York and Dallas.
Abdallah continues: “Ray has spent nearly his entire career with our company and not only has deep knowledge of our three concepts but also has demonstrated excellence in operational leadership. We are pleased to promote Ray to Brand President of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House and look forward to him making immediate contributions to the brand.”
Smith will oversee the operations of all 18 Sullivan’s Steakhouse locations. Most recently, Smith was co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Day Star Restaurant Group, the parent company to Texas Land and Cattle and Lone Star Steakhouse with 91 locations and $154 million in annual sales. Prior to Day Star Restaurant Group, Smith served as Senior Vice President of Romano’s Macaroni Grill where he was responsible for day-to-day operations for 68 locations. He also held two leadership roles at Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. including Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Operating Officer. Smith also served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Amer Restaurant Division at Amer Group, Chief Operating Officer and President of Springfield Restaurant Group, President of Restaurant eFund, Founder and Partner of TRH Restaurants, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Casual Dining Division of Quality Dining, Inc. and Director of Franchise Operations at Brinker International.
Abdallah says: “We’re thrilled that Scott has joined the Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group family. His understanding of restaurant brand positioning coupled with his robust franchising experience makes him the ideal candidate to oversee Sullivan’s Steakhouse.”
