Houston — SPB Hospitality, a portfolio company of Fortress Investment Group and a leading operator and franchisor of restaurant brands, has appointed Robert “Bob” J. Fargo as senior vice president of development. Fargo first joined SPB Hospitality in 2023 as vice president of construction and design.
In his new role, Fargo will lead all aspects of real estate, design and construction management for SPB Hospitality’s 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,” says 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.”
Prior to joining SPB Hospitality in 2023, Fargo was 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. Fargo’s career also includes development leadership positions with Bob Evans, JP Morgan Chase and McDonald’s.
SPB Hospitality operates a diverse portfolio of quick-service and full-service dining restaurants across 35 states. For more information, visit www.SPBHospitality.com.
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 Sept. 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. For more information, visit www.Fortress.com.
SOURCE: SPB Hospitality