SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Kona Grill Inc. said Wednesday that its chief operating officer, Jason Merritt, had resigned to pursue other interests.
The 20-unit American grill and sushi bar chain said it had launched a search for a replacement for Merritt, who had been in the position since October 2003.
The company said Mark Bartholomay, senior vice president of development, would serve as interim chief operating officer.
Marcus Jundt, Kona’s president and chief executive, said, "We are thankful that the senior management team at Kona Grill possesses sufficient bench strength to ensure business continuity until a full-time candidate is identified."
Kona this month opened new units in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Phoenix after closing one in Naples, Fla., this past quarter.
For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, Kona Grill reported a net loss of $740,000, compared to a profit of $592,000 in the same period a year ago. Sales in the quarter rose 4.3 percent, to $19.5 million, compared with $18.7 million in the same period last year.