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Artistry Restaurants names Bryan Lockwood CEO

The Florida-based company earlier named Jason Brooks as COO

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 26, 2024

1 Min Read
Artistry Restaurants' Oak & Stone interior
Artistry Restaurants' Oak & Stone in Estero, Fla.Artistry Restaurants

Artistry Restaurants, which has a portfolio of five brands with 29 locations in the Southeast, has named Bryan Lockwood as CEO, the company announced this week.

Winter Park, Fla.-based Artistry, which plans to add a sixth brand later this year, said Lockwood has experience as an investor, franchisor, and franchisee in specialty and multi-unit restaurant operations.

“Bryan believes in the power of vision. He sees the potential in brands and then invests in a talented team across all key disciplines — from operations and development, to recruiting, culinary, human resources, marketing, and construction — to get results,” Barry Goff, Artististry Restaurants managing partner, said in a statement. “He will be an invaluable leader during this exciting phase in the company’s growth.”

Lockwood has served as CEO of California-based Stonefire Grill and Real Mex Restaurants (with more than 90 restaurants including brands such as El Torito, Chevys Fresh Mex, Acapulco, Las Brisas, Sinigual, and the upscale El Torito Grill), and as president and CEO of Tavistock Restaurants.

Lockwood is currently the principal at Rare One LLC, a private-investment company specializing in restaurants and hospitality.

Artistry earlier this year named Jason Brooks as chief operating officer and partner.

Brooks most recently served as vice president of operations for Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group and earlier had worked with Outback parent Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

Artistry Restaurants brands include Boca, Shrimp Basket, Oak & Stone, Atlantic Beer and Oyster, and Sandbar Amelia Island.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/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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