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Palm names Jens Baake as operations chief

Industry veteran to oversee 24-unit steakhouse brand

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 20, 2018

1 Min Read
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The Palm Restaurant Group has named industry veteran Jens Baake as chief operating officer, the company said Thursday.

Baake, most recently COO at New York-based MS Development Co. LLC, succeeds Jeff Phillips in the operations role at the Washington, D.C.-based fine-dining steakhouse brand, a spokesperson said.

Link_2520-_2520Palm_COO_Jens_Baake.pngPrior to MS Development, where Baake (left) developed a Martha Stewart-branded “Café Martha” restaurant concept, he served as COO of Meyers USA and held leadership roles at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ameristar Casino, Landry’s Restaurants and Walt Disney World.

“Through his prior successes in hospitality,” said Bruce Bozzi, Jr., executive vice president of the Palm Restaurant Group, in statement, “Jens made us feel assured that he understands that our relationships with our guests are as important as the excellence of our food, wine and spirits. We are excited to welcome him to The Palm family.”

The Palm has 22 steakhouses in the United States and two in Mexico City.

“There are a lot of great restaurants out there,” Baake said. “However, when meeting The Palm’s owners, employees and guests, you quickly realize that this is much more than a legendary organization — it is a large family welcoming you with open arms.”

The privately held Palm, which is still family owned, was founded in 1926.

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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