Diversified casual-dining operator changes leaders

bagger daves burger

David G. Burke has succeeded Michael Ansley as CEO of Diversified Restaurant Holdings, a 64-unit Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee and parent of the Bagger Dave’s burger concept.

Ansley, who founded the company by opening a single BWW restaurant in 1999, will continue as executive chairman of the board.

Burke was formerly Diversified’s CFO. He has been succeeded in that post by Phyllis Knight, who joined the company from Polar Corp., a manufacturer of tank trailers. Both will serve on Diversified’s board.

Diversified announced in August that it intends to split off 19-unit Bagger Dave’s, a full-service concept, from the BWW business.

The company, along with much of casual dining, has been trying to shake a prolonged slowdown in guest traffic and sales.

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