Seasoned real estate and construction executive to oversee national development pipeline for SPB’s growing portfolio of brands
Houston, TX (RestaurantNews.com) SPB Hospitality, a portfolio company of Fortress Investment Group and a leading operator and franchisor of restaurant brands across the casual, upscale and quick-service dining segments, today announced the appointment of Robert “Bob” J. Fargo as Senior Vice President of Development.
A veteran of the restaurant, retail and entertainment industries with nearly three decades of experience, Fargo will lead all aspects of real estate, design, and construction management for SPB Hospitality’s diverse portfolio, including J. Alexander’s, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, Amada, Village Whiskey, Krystal and Logan’s Roadhouse. He will be responsible for managing SPB’s national development pipeline, steering multimillion-dollar projects from lease execution to grand opening, and ensuring budgets and schedules are maintained with precision.
“Bob’s track record in accelerating development timelines, optimizing budgets and delivering high-quality projects is unmatched,” said Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality. “He has been a steady, strategic force behind our growth, and his addition to the senior leadership team ensures development remains a core part of our forward-looking agenda. Bob’s expertise will be instrumental as we expand our footprint, strengthen our portfolio and continue building distinctive dining experiences that resonate with guests nationwide.”
Fargo first joined SPB Hospitality in 2023 as Vice President of Construction and Design. His prior leadership roles include Vice President of Development at Ideal Image, where he oversaw over 40 buildouts and led initiatives that reduced capital expenditures by 15%, and Chief Development Officer for Seven Restaurants, where he streamlined franchise expansion for a 60-unit Burger King portfolio in South Florida. At PDQ Restaurants, Fargo grew the brand from 18 to 56 locations across nine states, building its development department from the ground up.
“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time for SPB Hospitality,” said Fargo. “We have an extraordinary lineup of brands with unique growth opportunities, and I look forward to building spaces that reflect their character, drive operational success and deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Fargo’s career also includes development leadership positions with Bob Evans, JP Morgan Chase and McDonald’s, where he consistently drove results through strategic growth planning, process improvement and cross-functional collaboration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from California University and is based in Tampa, Florida.
About SPB Hospitality
SPB Hospitality operates a diverse portfolio of quick-service and full-service dining restaurants across 35 states. Its brands include Krystal, Logan’s Roadhouse, and high-end concepts like J. Alexander’s and Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, alongside Chef Jose Garces’ Amada and Village Whiskey. Visit SPBHospitality.com to learn more, or contact Tom Petska at thomas.petska@spbhospitality.com for franchising opportunities.
About Fortress Investment Group LLC
Fortress Investment Group LLC is a leading, highly diversified global investment manager. Founded in 1998, Fortress manages $49 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024, on behalf of over 2,000 institutional clients and private investors worldwide across a range of credit and real estate, private equity and permanent capital investment strategies. To learn more, visit Fortress.com.
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Betsy DeMik
Champion
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