Gregg Scarlett is relinquishing his duties as president of Bloomin’ Brands’ Bonefish Grill chain to assume the same post at the casual giant’s main brand, Outback Steakhouse, the company revealed Friday.
Scarlett will succeed Jeff Smith, who has decided to retire, Bloomin’ CEO Liz Smith said during Bloomin’s quarterly call with financial analysts. Jeff Smith has led the steakhouse chain for 11 years, and served in other posts within Bloomin’ and its predecessor company for another 14.
Scarlett is being succeeded as president of Bonefish Grill by David Schmidt, who has held a variety of operational and financial positions since joining the chain 10 years ago, Liz Smith said.
The changes follow a dismal second quarter for the company, whose other casual-dining brands include Carrabba’s and Fleming’s. Bloomin’ posted a loss of $8.1 million for the period, compared with a profit of $33.1 million for the same period of the prior year.
Traffic at Outback dropped year over year by 5.9% for the quarter.
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