Celebrated area restaurant chain names first-ever COO

Anna Maria Oyster Bar, with four locations throughout Manatee County, has named the first COO in the company’s 25-year history.

Chris Frawley, who spent 27 years with Miller’s Ale House, was named to the COO post, according to a statement. Frawley oversaw the company’s growth and led the operations of 95 stores across the Southeast, the release adds. Anna Maria Oyster Bar, with its four established locations and funky, relaxed customer vibe, as won multiple regional best-of awards for customer service and other features.

“Chris Frawley and I have known each other through our work with the State Board of Directors for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association for many years,” says Anna Maria Oyster Bar CEO John Horne. “During the pandemic, we spent many virtual hours together — collaborating to develop best practices for the state hospitality industry and in that time, we developed a strong connection. We are thrilled that Chris has joined the AMOB Family to expand our business and optimize our day-to-day operations. I’m confident he will serve a pivotal role in charting the company’s future for years to come.”

Frawley has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry and extensive operational knowledge — dating back to when his first job, bussing tables at 15.

“I feel like Marty McFly in ‘Back to the Future.’ When I began my career in Jupiter, with Jack Miller, there were only 6 Miller’s Ale House locations with potential to grow more. It feels serendipitous. And, to that end, I see the potential in the Anna Maria Oyster Bar brand thanks to its legions of raving fans,” Frawley says in the statement. “More importantly, I saw how John Horne’s leadership ensured that the AMOB Family was taken care of during the pandemic, paying the entire restaurant staff during the seven-week shutdown. It’s an honor to join a team that has such a strong culture of employee appreciation and vision for the future.”