Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has named Gregg Scarlett president of Bonefish Grill, the company said Thursday, putting him in charge of the 201-unit chain that the company considers vital for its domestic growth.
Scarlett, who was senior vice president of casual-dining restaurant operations for Tampa, Fla.-based Bloomin’, will replace Stephen Judge, who will leave Bonefish “to pursue other interests.”
“Bonefish is our top domestic development priority,” Bloomin’ Brands CEO Liz Smith said in a statement. “Gregg’s extensive operations experience, ability to effectively develop and lead teams, and familiarity with the brand makes this a natural fit.”
Scarlett will also hold the title of executive vice president at Bloomin’ Brands.
“I am excited and honored to rejoin this founder-inspired brand,” he said in a statement. “Bonefish Grill has a rich history, and I look forward to working with its team of talented leaders as we grow the business.”
Scarlett joined Bloomin’ Brands in 1994 as a managing partner for an Outback Steakhouse in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He was promoted to joint venture partner for Bonefish Grill shortly after it was acquired by Bloomin’ Brands in 2001, and later became vice president of operations for the brand.
The company credited him for the rapid expansion of new Bonefish units across the U.S., and said Scarlett worked closely with the chain’s founders, Chris Parker and Tim Curci, to create its polished casual-dining experience.
Scarlett has also served as the senior vice president of operations for Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
Judge had been president of Bonefish since December 2012. He will leave after a transition period, the company said.
“We thank Stephen for his many contributions and leadership over the past two years,” Smith said. “During his time, Stephen oversaw the development and implementation of our new menu that launched last year, as well as the opening of 40 new restaurants.”
Bonefish finished 2014 with $622 million in systemwide sales, a 21-percent increase over two years, according to Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 data. Same-store sales rose 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent financial report.
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