Texas Roadhouse, Inc, has announced executive management changes at the Company, effective August 18, 2011.
W. Kent Taylor will resume the role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a position he held between May 2000 and October 2004. Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer in May 2000, he was the Company’s President since its founding in 1993. Mr. Taylor will also retain his positions as Chairman of the Company and Board. Mr. Taylor’s return to his prior position as Chief Executive Officer follows the resignation of G.J. Hart, former President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective August 17, 2011. Mr. Hart left the Company to accept the positions of Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.
In addition, Scott M. Colosi has been named President of the Company. Mr. Colosi has been employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer since September 2002.
Finally, G. Price Cooper, IV has been named Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Cooper has been employed by the Company as its Vice President of Finance since August 2006.
Kent Taylor commented, “I am excited to be returning to the role of Chief Executive Officer, and I look forward to continuing to work with Scott, Price, Steve Ortiz, our Chief Operating Officer, Sheila Brown, our General Counsel, and our entire leadership team to continue driving our business forward. We will all truly miss GJ. His passion and care and concern for the people of Texas Roadhouse is Legendary. He will always be a Texas Roadhouse Legend, and all of us wish him and his family well in their new venture.”
Taylor concluded, “To our partners in the field and at the Support Center, and to our valued franchisees and vendors, we want to convey that our commitment to partnership remains solid and unwavering. Our mission statement of ‘Legendary Food and Legendary Service’ and our core values of ‘Passion, Partnership, Integrity and Fun . . . All with Purpose’ which embody our culture will continue as always.”
Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining concept that first opened in 1993 and today operates over 350 restaurants system-wide in 46 states.