Main Event Entertainment LP, the Plano, Texas-based family eatertainment brand, has named Tony Wehner chief operating officer. He replaces Rob Viveros, who left the company last summer.
Most recently, Wehner was chief executive officer of another eatertainment concept, BigShots Golf, and before that he was COO of casual-dining chain Bar Louie. He also spent 16 years at casual-dining chain On the Border in various operations and sales roles, according to a release from Main Event announcing his appointment.
“We are thrilled to have Tony join our team at such a crucial and exciting time for our business,” Main Event CEO Chris Morris said in the release. “His passion for the entertainment and hospitality industry is exactly what we were looking for in a leader, and his pedigree of building world-class teams is an asset we are very fortunate to be adding to our team as we enter 2021.”
Wehner said he was looking forward to his new job.
“Main Event has a strong reputation as a category innovator and I can’t wait to work alongside such an exceptional team through the next phase of growth for the company. Chris [Morris] is an outstanding leader who has built a tremendous culture and set a very high standard for excellence. The role that Main Event plays in the lives of families has never been more important and I can’t wait to bring our unique brand of entertainment to millions of guests across our great markets.”
There are 44 Main Event locations across the country, of which 39 are open under “Play Smart, Play Safe” protocols that the chain implemented last spring as the coronavirus pandemic set in.
That includes employees and guests being required to wear masks and receive temperature checks upon arrival, as well as social distancing markers, sanitizing stations, increased cleaning of surfaces, reduced capacity and touchless menus.
The chain also introduced “Birthday Wishing Wands” as an alternative to blowing out candles.
Main Event centers offer bowling, laser tag, billiards and arcade games, as well as pizza, wings, burgers and other bar & grill fare.
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