INDUSTRY VETERAN JOINS CHRISTOPHER'S RESTAURANTS TO LEAD OPERATIONS
New leadership to accelerate expansion of unique concept in markets throughout the Southeast
ATLANTA, Nov. 6, 2007 – J. Christopher’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Haddock announced today the appointment of long time restaurant industry executive Bill Sparks as vice president of operations for J. Christopher’s Restaurants LLC. Sparks will be responsible for the opening, training and operations of company and franchised locations.
J. Christopher’s is a collection of 18 casual dining restaurants serving breakfast, brunch and lunch with locations in Atlanta, Savannah, Ga., Nashville, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla. and has recently formed a new management team with the goal to spur growth of the brand through company and franchised owned locations throughout the Southeast and beyond. The company has experienced recent growth in Atlanta with the addition of four new restaurants over the past 18 months and is currently planning to open eight additional restaurants in Atlanta, Macon, Ga. and Nashville, Tenn. over the next 12 months.
A twenty-one year veteran of the restaurant industry, Sparks has experience in multi-unit responsibility with Rally’s Hamburgers and Wendy’s Hamburgers. He also held executive positions in the restaurant franchise segment during tenures at Rally’s Hamburger’s and the RTM Restaurant group. Sparks was most recently vice president of franchise operations at the Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken chain based in Fort Walton, Fla.
“Bill Sparks is a great leader and trainer. Bill is an excellent communicator who builds solid relationships with franchisees based on a genuine concern for their success,” said Haddock. “Bill was our absolute first choice for this position and we are delighted to have him on the J. Christopher’s team.”
“J. Christopher’s is a unique casual-dining restaurant concept that has proven to be extremely successful by focusing on breakfast, brunch and lunch,” said Dick Holbrook, president of J. Christopher’s Restaurants, LLC. “We are delighted that Bill will be helping us design and execute operations excellence throughout the J. Christopher’s brand.”
A native of Louisville, Ky., Sparks attended college at Murray State University and the University of Louisville. He and his family currently reside in Dallas, Ga.
About J. Christopher’s
Founded in 1996, J. Christopher’s is a collection of casual dining restaurants serving breakfast, brunch and lunch in 18 restaurants including Atlanta (15), Savannah, Ga. (1), Nashville, Tenn. (1) and Tampa, Fla.(1). An additional five restaurants are under development in Atlanta (4) and Macon, Ga. (1). J. Christopher’s provides cheerful, relaxing neighborhood eateries serving all the traditional breakfast favorites and a few new ones such as the Farmer’s Omelet, Pumpkin Pancakes and Crème Brulee French Toast along with a lunch menu that includes some new offerings to include J. Christopher’s Bistro Salad, Build Your Own Burgers and J’s Classic Club Sandwich. J. Christopher’s is the 2007 winner of Atlanta’s Best Breakfast Award from the My Fox Atlanta's Hot List. For more information about J. Christopher’s Restaurants visit www.jchristophers.com.
J. Christopher’s Key Facts
Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily
Prices: Coffees, beverages and lighter sides, $1.25-$4.79; breakfast and lunch, $5.79-$11.79; kids meals, $4.79.
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Pancakes, Farmers Omelet, and Crème Brulee French Toast
Reservations: Recommended on weekends or for large parties.
Verdict: A good bet for an appetizing breakfast at a comfortable neighborhood eatery.
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