Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill has named Christopher J. Artinian, an experienced restaurant executive, as its new President & CEO. Artinian, who assumes the previously open post immediately, was formerly President & CEO of Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc.
Artinian, 42, will assume responsibility for a company that has generated steadily improving sales and guest satisfaction from a brand repositioning over the past several months.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to help Smokey Bones transition from its successful turnaround phase to a new era of growth,” Artinian said. “I’m very excited to help this high-energy brand grow to the next level through outstanding hospitality and great food.”
Artinian was instrumental in Morton’s growth into the world’s largest company-owned fine dining brand during his 17-year tenure. Earlier this year he led the successful sale of the company to new ownership.
He began at Morton’s in various operations roles and rose to become Assistant General Manager of Morton’s in New York City, and later General Manager of Morton’s restaurants in Stamford, CT, and Great Neck, NY. Artinian later was promoted to Regional Vice President of Operations and he was responsible for opening many new Morton’s steakhouses in the U.S. and other countries.
Passionate about the restaurant business, Artinian has provided insight and commentary on the industry to numerous media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg News.
Under its parent company, an affiliate of Sun Capital, Smokey Bones has repositioned the brand with new menus, uniforms, signage, lighting, music and décor. The changes have won raves from guests while sparking strong sales increases.
Smokey Bones is a full-service bar and fire-grill restaurant that operates 66 locations in 17 states and employs nearly 2,300 people. It is owned by an affiliate of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sun Capital Partners, whose portfolio of restaurants also includes Boston Market, Friendly’s, Sweet Tomatoes, Fazoili’s, Bar Louie and other restaurant brands representing approximately 2,000 locations and over $2.0 billion in sales.
For more information on the new Smokey Bones, visit www.smokeybones.com.
