Restaurant veteran Paul Damico is the new CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management, the owner of family-dining brands Perkins and Huddle House.
Damico replaces James O’Reilly, who had been in the role for two and a half years.
O’Reilly led an effort to modernize Perkins and Huddle House, introducing new branding and restaurant prototypes as well as trendy menu items like smash burgers and boba tea. The idea was to help the two 60-plus-year-old brands break through with younger consumers.
Damico will help usher the franchises into their next chapter, and will also look to add to Ascent’s portfolio via acquisition, Ascent said in a press release.
Damico has spent four decades in the restaurant industry, most recently as CEO of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop from 2021 to 2024. Before that, he was CEO of Naf Naf Grill, president at Focus Brands (now GoTo Foods) and president of Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Paul Damico. | Courtesy of Ascent Hospitality Management
“Hospitality is in my DNA and I am invigorated by the opportunity to work with our franchisees and the Ascent team to drive growth of Huddle House and Perkins, two beloved family dining brands,” Damico said in a statement. “I look forward to cultivating a culture of innovation and teamwork at these iconic brands, ensuring our guests' needs remain the top priority.”
Atlanta-based Ascent is the franchisor of nearly 600 Perkins and Huddle House locations. Both brands are looking to get back to growth. Systemwide sales fell 5.3% at Perkins last year and 6.4% at Huddle House, and both closed some restaurants, according to Technomic data.
They are hoping to spur development with new prototypes and formats. As of June, Perkins had franchise agreements for 46 units of its fast casual Griddle & Go concept in New Jersey, and Huddle House had 50 agreements in the works, including the largest deal in its history that will bring 20 locations to the Houston area.
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