Dee Lincoln, co-founder of the eight-unit Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, resigned Friday as a vice president with parent Lone Star Funds and said she plans to expand her one-unit wine concept and open a casual-dining restaurant with her brother.
Lincoln founded the Del Frisco’s concept in Dallas with Dale Wamstad in 1986. She expanded the concept to two locations before selling it in 1995 to Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon of Wichita, Kan., for a then-record $23 million. Lone Star Steakhouse was bought in 2006 by Lone Star Funds of Dallas.
Despite the economy hitting the fine-dining steakhouse segment particularly hard, Lincoln said “the Del Frisco’s brand is strong, and I feel confident my team and Lone Star Funds will continue its success.”
Lincoln said she plans to expand her Dee Lincoln’s Tasting Room & Bubble Bar, which debuted last year on the suite-level of the new Dallas Cowboys’ football stadium. She created the high-end wine, martini and champagne lounge with the Cowboys, Legends Hospitality Management and her brother, Ricky Comardelle.
“I love luxury brands,” she said Friday after announcing her resignation to the staff at the original Del Frisco’s location in Dallas. She plans to open more Tasting Room units in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In addition, Lincoln and Comardelle will open a casual marina restaurant, The Dinghy Bar & Grill, at a Dallas-area lake on Memorial Day.
Del Frisco’s was an NRN Fine Dining Hall of Fame winner in 1993.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].