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Firebird Restaurant Group names CFO

Brian Livingston returns to Dallas-based parent of El Fenix, Snuffer’s

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 10, 2017

1 Min Read
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Brian_Livingston_CFO_0.jpgFirebird Restaurant Group LLC, a multi-brand company and parent to the El Fenix Mexican and Snuffer’s brands, has named Brian Livingston as chief financial officer, the company said Thursday.

Livingston served as CFO of the Dallas-based company from 2010 to 2014, and he most recently was CEO of Celebrity Café & Bakery, a local brand. The CFO role had been open since 2015, a Firebird spokesperson said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian back to the team,” said Mike Karns, Firebird Restaurant Group founder and CEO, in a statement. “Brian is a dynamic leader and played a key role in shaping Firebird during his previous tenure. We look forward to his leadership during our next phase of growth.”

Livingston also serves as an elected city councilman in Frisco, Texas.

“The timing couldn’t be better for a return to Firebird,” Livingston said. “They have an incredible portfolio of restaurants with exciting plans for continued growth and development.  I look forward to being part of this amazing team.”

Privately owned Firebird Restaurant Group has 49 restaurants in Texas and Oklahoma, including El Fenix Mexican, Meso Maya, Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar, Taqueria La Ventana, Tortaco and Village Burger Bar. Karns also owns Sunrise Mexican Foods, a food products company.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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