Steakhouse concept Eddie Merlot’s has named former Ruth’s Chris President Geoffrey Stiles as president, the 11-unit chain announced Tuesday.
Stiles, who also previously served as COO at Ruth’s Chris and vice president of operations at Morton’s of Chicago, had been hired by Eddie Merlot’s as an outside consultant in March of this year. After a three-month stint examining the brand’s structure, finances and operations, he was offered the position of president by then-President Bill Humphries.
When Stiles accepted the role, which was effective last month, Humphries transitioned to founder and CEO.
“Eddie Merlot’s is positioned to consider real growth in the future,” Stiles said in a statement. “We have a brand which offers exceptional experience that our guests appreciate and our teams have a passion to provide.”
Eddie Merlot’s, which Restaurant Business named a Future 50 chain in 2014, has primarily been a Midwestern concept, but it recently opened a Denver-area location and is preparing to add a 12th unit in Scottsdale, Ariz., later this year.
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