Dive Brief:
- Ascent Hospitality Management, parent of Huddle House and Perkins, has appointed Paul Damico as CEO, effective immediately, the company said in a Thursday press release. He succeeds Jim O’Reilly, who had been CEO since June 2023.
- Damico has over 40 years of restaurant experience, and has expertise in overseeing multi-brand operations. He previously held CEO roles at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Global Franchise Group and Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. He has also worked in various leadership positions at Focus Brands.
- Damico will oversee Ascent’s next stage of growth and modernization, and explore the possibility of acquiring additional brands that align with the company’s portfolio.
Dive Insight:
Ascent underwent significant changes and growth under O’Reilly. It rebranded and renamed Perkins as Perkins American Food Company last year, and unveiled a new store design, Perkins’ fast casual spinoff, Griddle & Go, that it launched last year. That prototype already has a strong pipeline for future openings. Perkins also opened a flagship restaurant in Orlando, Florida, in March that showcases a modern look and new menu categories like boba drinks and cocktails.
Sister brand Huddle House is pursuing drive-thrus and non-traditional growth as part of its own rebranding strategy. Last year, the chain signed one of its biggest franchising deals in its history with a 20-store agreement to expand in Texas.
Combined, Huddle House and Perkins operate nearly 600 units across the U.S. and Canada. Damico’s experience will help continue much of the growth momentum the chains have built up. He has a track record for improving operational efficiency, guest satisfaction and profitability, according to the press release.
Damico will also have the support of a handful of new C-suite executives who joined the brand earlier this year. Brian Wallunas joined the company as chief technology officer in June to help with the brands’ ongoing modernization and digital transformation. Blain Shortreed was also promoted from Huddle House brand president to COO at Ascent in April.
