Sports bar chain Tom’s Watch Bar has named Brooks Schaden and Shannon McNiel to succeed industry veterans Tom Ryan and Rick Schaden at the helm of the 13-unit concept.
Schaden and McNiel will serve as co-CEOs, moving up from CFO and COO, respectively. The company said they’ve been involved since the operation was launched in 2018 by veterans of the Quiznos and Smashburger quick-service chains.
Ryan and Rick Schaden, Brooks' cousin, will remain with the company as “active advisors” and board members, Tom’s said. Schaden remains chairman.
Brooks Schaden | Photos courtesy of Tom's Watch Bar
The younger Schaden has a background in finance and served as a senior executive of a holding company that had included Smashburger and Quiznos. He was involved in the sale of a controlling interest in Smashburger to Jollibee.
McNiel has worked with a number of restaurant chains, including Texas Roadhouse, which he served as an operating partner.
Shannon McNiel
No reason was given for the change in senior leadership.
Tom’s Watch Bar touts what it calls a “360-degree viewing environment” as a major point of difference. A key feature is a large central screen that functions like the Jumbotron video displays of stadiums and arenas. It’s buttressed with “hundreds” of TV screens, according to the company.
Correction: McNiel's last name was misspelled in an earlier version of the story.
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