Restaurants Unlimited Inc. has named Chris Harter chief executive of the multi-concept operator, the company said Thursday.
Harter replaces Scott Smith, who has served as chief executive for less than a year following the resignation of former CEO Norman Abdallah.
He most recently was the co-founder and chief executive of Houston-based Legacy Restaurants, operator of brands that include The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation and Antone’s Famous Po’Boys.
Previously, Harter was president of Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, the multi-concept operator of restaurants such as Spiaggia, Bistro 110 and Fulton’s Crab House.
Seattle-based Restaurants Unlimited, or RUI, operates 46 restaurants under 14 brands, including the chains Kincaid’s, Palomino Restaurant and Bar, and Stanford’s. One-off establishments include the Portland City Grill, Palisade, Scott’s, Skates and Henry’s Tavern.
RUI has restaurants in 11 states, mostly in the Pacific Northwest. Private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners owns the restaurant group.
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