SPB Hospitality CEO sees major growth in ‘upscale casual’ restaurants

Key Points:

• G.J. Hart, CEO of SPB Hospitality and former leader of Red Robin, California Pizza Kitchen, and Texas Roadhouse, sees significant growth potential in the "upscale casual" dining segment, particularly through expanding the J. Alexander’s brand.
• Hart emphasizes that upscale casual restaurants offer consumers a strong combination of value and experience, making the category ripe for expansion, especially since it is currently dominated by regional operators rather than national chains.
• SPB Hospitality plans to open six to eight new restaurants annually and is investing in infrastructure, training, and management to support this aggressive growth strategy.
• Since becoming CEO in September 2025, Hart has focused on simplifying operations and maintaining brand relevancy by adapting to evolving consumer preferences and emphasizing leadership and employee engagement.
• SPB Hospitality's portfolio includes J. Alexander’s, Krystal, and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, with a strategic focus on growing core markets and meeting consumer demand in the upscale casual segment.