Bonefish Grill serves up new president

TAMPA — Gregg Scarlett has been named the new president of Bonefish Grill, tasked with expanding the restaurant chain beyond its current 206 locations.

He replaces Stephen Judge, who spent two years leading the Bonefish Grill brand.

“Bonefish Grill is our top domestic development priority,” says Liz Smith, CEO of Bonefish parent Bloomin' Brands Inc., in a release. “Gregg's extensive operations experience, ability to effectively develop and lead teams, and familiarity with the brand makes this a natural fit.”

Bloomin' Brands wants to add another 100 locations for Bonefish Grill over the next three to five years, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, representing a 50% increase in total restaurants. Bonefish Grill's company-owned locations generated sales of $609 million in 2014, compared to $555 million in 2013.

The leadership position also makes Scarlett a new executive vice president with Bloomin' Brands, which trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BLMN. He had been the senior vice president of casual dining restaurant operations for Bloomin' Brands before this promotion, responsible for the operations of the company's three casual dining brands: Bonefish Grill, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill.

Scarlett has been a part of Bloomin' Brands for more than 20 years, joining the company in 1994 as a managing partner for Outback Steakhouse in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He became a joint venture partner with Bonefish Grill shortly after that St. Petersburg-based restaurant was acquired by Bloomin' Brands in 2001, and later become vice president of operations for Bonefish Grill.

Under Scarlett's leadership, Bonefish Grill expanded across the United States, working with Bonefish Grill founders Chris Parker and Tim Curci to create many of the features the restaurants have today.

Of the three casual dining brands, Bonefish Grill is the smallest, compared to 243 locations of Carrabba's, and 975 locations for Outback. Bonefish Grill opened 17 company-owned locations in 2014, but closed five others — including two franchise-owned locations.