INFO on principal Gene Eskew. As you will see, it is
impressive
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
5/00-PresentCUSTOM FOOD FRANCHISE GROUP, INC. Los Angeles, CA
President & CEO (and majority shareholder of operator and
franchisor of Love's BBQ restaurant chain. Involved in
turnaround of well-known, respected brand.
1999-PresentREDNECK FOODS, INC. Beverly Hills, CA
President & Director of Public Company that markets Jeff Foxworthy
brand BBQ sauces through grocery chains and mass merchandisers, and is the
operator and franchisor of Jeff Foxworthy's BBQ restaurants.
1996-1999 VICTORY CONSUMER RESOURCES, INC. Indianapolis, IN
President & Co-founder of firm publishing newsletters for large apartment
complexes in Indianapolis, IN, Evansville, IN and Henderson, KY.
1992 -1996 DAMON'S, Inc. Hilton Head, SC & Indianapolis, IN
President &CEO, also Franchisee of #2 BBQ chain in U.S.
Hired to turnaround chain that had lost money for 4 previous years.
Implemented new business strategy focusing on upgraded restaurants,
strong franchise sales efforts, new products, better execution in
restaurants, better training, stringent cost controls and international
expansion.
Reduced corporate overhead by 20%. Secured new financing.
Restored company to profitability within three months.
Chainwide sales increased from $37MM in 1991 to $108MM in 1994.
Company sold to large NY hotel/restaurant concern, with new company
headquartered in Columbus, OH
TODAY, DAMON'S IS THE NATION'S SECOND LARGEST BBQ THEME RESTAURANT WITH OVER
50 RESTAURANTS AND SYSTEM WIDE SALES OF OVER $120MM
William E. Eskew
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1985-1992 ROMA Corporation Dallas, TX
Senior Vice President and COO of the largest BBQ chain, Tony Roma's Ribs.
Company was privately owned by the Murchison family, known for oil and gas
interests, and being the original owners of the Dallas Cowboys.
Directed the turnaround of a company that had lost money for 5 previous
years - the company had lost money every year since Murchison purchased it
from Tony Roma. President was a controller for the Murchison family and
had no chain restaurant or consumer products/services experience.
Developed new design and décor of restaurants. Implemented new products,
which accounted for 25% of system sales. Upgraded restaurant management.
Implemented new control systems. Initiated strong franchise program,
including the sale of selected company units to franchisees. Directed
strong international sales efforts.
Results: Company became and remained profitable within 6 months, showing a
profit every year. Sales increased from $60MM to $270MM. Number of
restaurants in chain grew from 48 to 160. International sales increased
from $10MM to $60MM.
TODAY TONY ROMA'S IS THE LEADING BBQ THEME RESTAURANT CHAIN IN THE NATION,
WITH OVER 100 RESTAURANTS AND $300MM OF SYSTEM WIDE SALES. IT GENERATES
APPROXIMATELY $15MM IN ANNUAL EBITDA. WAS BOUGHT BY AN LBO FUND THREE YEARS
AGO FOR A TRANSACTION VALUED AT OVER $100MM.
1982-1985 Pizza Inn, Inc. Dallas, TX
VP -Marketing, R&D, and Restaurant Operation
Directed turnaround of the #3 pizza chain.
1976-1982 Ponderosa, Inc. Dayton, OH
VP Marketing , Concept/Product Development and Restaurant Operations at
largest steakhouse chain in US.
1969-1976 Riviana Foods, Inc. Houston, TX
Group Product Manager for all non-rice brands of company. These included
Hill's pet foods, Science Diet and Prescription Diet Pet Foods, Mexene
Seasonings, Hebrew National meat products, Austex canned foods, Mar-Kes
frozen Mexican foods, Romanoff Caviar products, and MBT broths and soups.
Responsible for sales and profits of all products. Reported directly to
Grocery Products division manager.
Education: B.S. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
MBA, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN |
