Buffets, Inc., the nation's largest owner and operator of buffet-style family restaurants, which includes Ryan's, today announced the appointment of restaurant executive, entrepreneur and turnaround specialist Anthony Wedo to the position of Chief Executive Officer. With more than 25 years of restaurant industry experience, including a key leadership position with a Fortune 50 brand, Wedo has developed and led the turnaround of major restaurant chains throughout the U.S.
His brand experience includes PepsiCo Restaurants, KFC, Boston Market, Noah's and Manhattan Bagels, and Einstein Bros. Bagels and most recently as CEO of a firm specializing in consulting private equity and professional debt investors in the restaurant industry.
"I believe I'm joining Buffets and this team at the perfect moment," Wedo said. "The balance sheet is fixed and the company generates significant cash flow which will enable us to focus on growing the brand and transforming it into something better than it has ever been. We will be fast tracking the 'Plan to Win' initiatives that members of this team and the Board of Directors have worked so hard to develop, and we are going to execute it successfully."
Buffets, Inc., the nation's largest steak-buffet restaurant company, operates 347 restaurants in 35 states, comprised of 337 steak-buffet restaurants and 10 Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse restaurants. The restaurants are principally operated under the Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Ryan's and Fire Mountain brands.