Dick Lynch has left Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to take the CEO’s job at Granite City Food & Brewery, marking the fourth change in leadership of the brewpub company in less than a year.
Lynch assumes the helm from acting CEO Rob Doran, who came out of retirement to resume the post he had held from 2010 to last summer, when he was succeeded by Phil Costner. Costner exited the post in March, after serving for only nine months.
The circumstances of Costner’s departure were not revealed.
Lynch has been a director of Granite City for 15 months. He was also chief brand officer for Popeyes, which was recently acquired by Burger King and Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands International.
In announcing Lynch’s appointment, Granite City cited the new hire’s experience at Popeyes in boosting sales through differentiation of the concept. It also praised Lynch’s skills at building a team.
Granite City runs 35 casual-dining restaurants, including its namesake brewpub chain. Its other concept is Cadillac Ranch.
The company is owned by CIC Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm.
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