Restaurant industry veteran Billy Downs was appointed president of Ford’s Garage, a burger and craft beer restaurant.
Downs joined the company in 2015 and later became a franchise owner in the Detroit market. Downs will continue to manage his Detroit franchise while serving as president of Ford’s Garage.
Downs cofounded B.D.'s Mongolian Grill, growing the company to 37 restaurants in 12 states and a franchise location in Mongolia, per a release. When B.D.’s Mongolian Grill was sold in 2008, Downs remained connected to the company until 2011 as a special advisor to the president. Until joining Ford's Garage as a franchisee, he divided his time between restaurant and business consulting, while also working with World Vision United States.
Part of the Vintage Hospitality Group, Ford’s Garage draws its inspiration from “the Heritage of The Ford Motor Company.” The restaurant’s decor evokes “a classic 1920s service station, including vintage vehicles, fixtures and gas pumps.”