NASHVILLE Tenn. O’Charley’s Inc. said Thursday it has hired former Famous Dave’s president Wilson L. Craft to serve as brand president of its 245-unit namesake casual-dining chain.
Craft succeeds Jeffrey Warne, who was named president and chief executive of O’Charley’s Inc. last June. The Nashville-based company also is parent of the Stoney River Legendary Steaks and Ninety Nine Restaurants brands.
In his new role, Craft, 56, will be responsible for leading daily operations at the O’Charley’s chain, including the development and implementation of strategies to increase sales, profitability and growth.
“In Wilson Craft we have found a proven leader with a broad skill set, an impressive track record and deep operational experience in the casual-dining segment to guide our O’Charley’s concept,” Warne said. “We believe he will be a great fit for our company, and that he is capable of leading an O’Charley’s team focused on growing sales through increasing guest loyalty, as well as improving margins.”
Craft, a veteran of the casual-dining segment, served as president and chief executive of Famous Dave’s of America in 2008. Prior to that, he was an executive vice president for the LongHorn Steakhouse chain. He also spent more than 20 years as an upper-level executive with Brinker International Inc.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].
