Los
Angeles, CA – January 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Rock
& Brews, the family-friendly restaurant and entertainment concept
co-founded by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, along with Co-Founders
and Managing Partners Hotelier/Restauranteur Michael Zislis and concert
industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, announces that Michael “Sully”
Sullivan has been named President & Chief Executive Officer. Sully,
a Certified Franchise Executive, brings more than 25 years of casual dining
experience to his position at Rock & Brews, having most recently served
as Emerging Brands Director at Buffalo Wild Wings.
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Sully
began his career in the restaurant industry at age 15, bussing tables at
Aurelios Pizza, a 42-unit Chicago-based restaurant chain. At 22, he purchased
his first Subway restaurant and over the course of 14 years, his business
grew to include 18 restaurants representing four brands. After selling
his restaurant brands, he joined Buffalo Wild Wings in 2003, where, working
closely with the brand’s renowned CEO Sally Smith, he utilized his franchising
experience to help grow the brand from 150 locations to more than 1200
locations. He was named Emerging Brands Director in 2012 and charged with
purchasing and integrating new brands into the Buffalo Wild Wings family.
“Sully’s
experience as a multi-brand franchisee and restaurant owner and partner,
combined with his success as part of the team responsible for the meteoric
growth of Buffalo Wild Wings, made him a natural choice to spearhead the
next phase of Rock & Brews’ expansion,” said Zislis. “He is well versed
in all aspects of franchise operations and restaurant expansion. He has
a keen eye for identifying top notch multi-unit franchisees and we have
confidence that his leadership will play an important role as Rock &
Brews continues its strategic expansion and diversification.”
Rock
& Brews currently has 19 locations throughout the United States and
Mexico, including neighborhood restaurants, as well as airport, arena and
casino restaurant concepts. The brand opened its first casino restaurant
at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Southern California in November
of 2016 and recently broke ground for the first Rock & Brews Casino
Resort, which is being developed in partnership with Kaw Gaming, Inc. in
Oklahoma.
Recognized
as one of Restaurant Business Magazine’s fastest-growing small chains in
America and a “Break Out Brand” by Restaurant News, Rock & Brews will
now embark on accelerated strategy to open more locations.
“I’ve
always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and after looking at dozens of emerging
brands in the restaurant industry, I met the Rock & Brews principles
at an industry conference and subsequently visited several Rock & Brews
locations. I was so impressed with the brand, the passion of its founding
partners and its potential that I not only accepted the role of President
and CEO, I personally invested in the brand,” said Sully. “Rock & Brews
is a dynamic one-of-a-kind experience. It is simply cool, and I look forward
to being a part of its growth.”
About
Rock & Brews
Rock
& Brews is a one-of-a-kind, rock-inspired restaurant and entertainment
concept designed to engage people of all ages with quality comfort food
and local favorites, a broad selection of craft and international beers,
and an energized environment that is reminiscent of being at a family-friendly
music event. The first Rock & Brews opened near Los Angeles International
Airport in Southern California in April of 2012. Each location boasts a
“Great Wall of Rock,” iconic rock art, concert trusses and lighting and
multiple flat screens sharing some of the greatest rock concert moments
of all time. Most offer a play area for kids and many are dog friendly.
For more information, please visit www.rockandbrews.com.
Media
Contact:
Terry
Wills
Wills
Communications, Inc.
310-376-6600 |