Co-Founding Partners Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS Announce New Leadership and a World Tour for Their Family-Friendly Restaurant Brand
Rock & Brews, the family-friendly restaurant and entertainment concept co-founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, announced today that 30-year restaurant industry veteran Mike Reynolds has been named Chief Executive Officer, as the highly popular brand prepares for a “World Tour” of expansion throughout the United States and abroad.
“Rock & Brews is taking off, and Mike Reynolds has the unique combination of talent and experience that will help us further expand the brand,” said Stanley and Simmons in a joint statement. “Our World Tour has begun and Mike will carefully select multi-unit franchise partners to take on large territories as we grow.”
Reynolds is an expert in all aspects of franchising, mergers and acquisitions and taking emerging brands public. He has sold more than 750 franchises domestically and internationally and was responsible for the mammoth Arby’s corporate buy-back of its Southern California market from a major franchisee.
“Rock & Brews is a truly exciting brand that offers endless opportunities for expansion,” said Reynolds. “The concept, which is devoted to welcoming families to an authentic rock-inspired environment with quality American comfort food and extensive selection of international and craft beers, is a winner.”
Prior to joining Rock & Brews, Reynolds served as Chief Development Officer for Robeks Corporation, where he sold more than 80 franchise agreements, reduced overhead by 40 percent and generated a more than 35 percent increase in sales systemwide, helping to gain a spot on Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 20 Chains to Watch.
He has also held senior positions as Co-Founder and Senior Vice President/General Manager for Big City Bagels, Inc.; Business Development Director for Arby’s; and, as Director of Brand Development for Grand Met Burger King/Häagen-Dazs.
Reynolds will report to Rock & Brews Managing Partners Michael Zislis and Dave and Dell Furano.
He holds a degree in Economics from The University of California at Los Angeles, an MBA in Real Estate from Henley University in Oxfordshire, UK, and an MBA in Project Management from Villanova University.
Rock & Brews is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and entertainment concept designed to engage people of all ages with quality American comfort food and local favorites, a broad selection of international and craft beers, and an energized, family-friendly rock environment. The brand, founded by KISS front men Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with restaurateur/hotelier Michael Zislis, and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, now has several locations in California (4), Kansas (1), New Mexico (1), on Maui (1), and in San Jose del Cabo (1). Rock & Brews is poised for thoughtful expansion, with restaurants opening soon in Orlando, Florida; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; Buena Park, California; and, Dallas, Texas, among others. The brand has three formats, including a traditional restaurant concept, an airport concept and a venue concept for large-scale entertainment and sports venues. For more information visit www.rockandbrews.com.
