Texas Roadhouse Inc. chief operating officer Steve Ortiz will retire after 18 years with the company, the operator said Tuesday.
Ortiz, whose retirement will be effective Jan. 12, is working on an agreement with Texas Roadhouse to become a franchisee in the San Diego area.
“We thank Steve for his 18 years of service to Texas Roadhouse,” CEO Kent Taylor said in a statement. “His operational focus and his passion for our company will serve us for years to come.”
Ortiz joined Texas Roadhouse in 1996 as market partner for the state of Texas. He built the company’s presence there and was promoted to director of operations in 2001 and COO in 2004.
Additionally, Doug Thompson will be promoted to vice president of operations, the company said. He will report directly to Taylor, and has more than 31 years of industry experience, the past 12 years at Texas Roadhouse.
Thompson joined Texas Roadhouse as a market partner in 2002 and was named regional market partner in 2005. He previously worked at Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
“I look forward to working with Doug,” Taylor said. “He has big shoes to fill, but I am confident he will continue to build upon Texas Roadhouse operations.”
Texas Roadhouse is based in Louisville, Ky., and has more than 440 locations in 49 states and four foreign countries.
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