COLUMBUS Ohio Carl Howard has stepped down as president and chief executive of Damon’s Grill parent Damon’s International Inc. after 17 months in the job, citing unspecified personal reasons. But the company said Howard would serve as a consultant to help in finding his replacement.
Howard rose to the posts from chief financial officer and chief operating officer in April 2006, after Alliance Development Group, a real estate developer, acquired Damon’s last year. Howard previously was a Damon’s franchisee
The repositioning program Howard headed will remain in place, said Bill Burk, Alliance’s president and Damon’s chairman. That plan includes opening units with a new design and overhauling most of the menu. Some 10 units sporting the new look are in various planning stages.
After closing underperforming units since its acquisition by Alliance, Damon’s now operates or franchises 70 restaurants in the United States and the United Kingdom.