Red Robin Gourmet Burgers appointed Paul Murphy to serve as president and CEO. The former Noodles & Company executive chairman will assume his new position October 3, 2019.
Paul Murphy
He succeeds Pattye Moore, who served as interim CEO since April 2019. Murphy’s background also includes executive-level leadership positions with Del Taco Restaurants and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group.
Following a transition period, Moore will retire from her post as board chair for Red Robin.
The hiring of Murphy, who has a reputation for his operational expertise and turning companies around, came as Red Robin’s board of directors rejected an unsolicited proposal from Vintage Capital Management to acquire all of the chain’s outstanding shares of common stock at a price of $40 each.
The burger chain’s strategic plan to restore the company to sustainable growth and profitability, focuses on five strategic priorities for 2019, per a Red Robin statement:
- Stabilizing dine-in revenue by reinforcing Red Robin’s compelling value proposition;
- Continuing to build the To-Go and Catering businesses;
- Improving the guest experience and recapturing Red Robin’s known-for “Gift of Time” convenience;
- Implementing digital platforms and restaurant technology solutions; and
- Selectively refranchising and reassessing the company’s real estate portfolio.
