Name: Blain Shortreed
New title: Brand President, Huddle House
Previous title: CEO, Long John Silver’s
Shortreed has over 30 years of restaurant experience in various leadership roles, per his LinkedIn profile. Prior to Huddle House, he spent over four years at Long John Silver’s, most recently serving as CEO for more than two years. He joined the chain as president and COO in January 2019.
“[Shortreed] brings extensive restaurant operations and finance experience that will be incredibly valuable to the brand,” James O’Reilly, CEO of Huddle House parent Ascent Hospitality Management, said in a statement. “He’s demonstrated throughout his career the ability to grow brands and will be vital as we continue to expand and evolve our organization.”
Blain Shortreed’s restaurant resume:
- Jan. 2021 to July 2023: CEO, Long John Silver’s
- Jan. 2019 to Dec. 2020: President and COO, Long John Silver’s
- April 2014 to March 2017: Managing director, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Pakistan, Pizza Hut
- Jan. 2008 to April 2014: VP of operations, Yum Restaurants International
- May 2002 to Oct. 2003: Director of 0perations and training, Cara Operations
- 1999 to 2002: VP of operations, Priszm
- June 1990 to Sept. 1999: Director of operations, KFC Western Canada
What’s on Blain Shortreed’s plate: As Huddle House’s brand president, Shortreed will oversee company operations, its franchise system and marketing and culinary innovation, according to the press release. Huddle House, which has over 300 locations open or in development as of June, is actively expanding its system, signing deals with new and existing franchisees this year. New Huddle House restaurants have been opening with significant sales, as well, which is helping grow the system.
A Huddle House that opened in February posted more than $53,000 in first-week sales, and a restaurant that opened in May in Hazard, Kentucky, broke three records with the brand’s first week sales, highest opening day sales and all-time single-day sales across the brand.
During the summer, Huddle House began testing new menu items, including new burgers and chicken items, but hasn’t yet provided any updates on if they will become permanent.
