Denver — Tom’s Watch Bar, a rapidly expanding premier venue for sports viewing and entertainment, has appointed Brooks Schaden and Shannon McNiel as co-CEOs. Schaden and McNiel are both co-founders, along with fellow industry veterans Tom Ryan and Rick Schaden, both of whom remain with the company as board members and active advisors. Rick Schaden remains chairman of the board.
“Brooks and Shannon have demonstrated the strength of their partnership over the past 7 years, together successfully driving Tom’s Watch Bar’s growth to 12 — soon to be 13 — high-performing locations that bring an entirely new take on an elevated sports-viewing experience,” says Rick Schaden, chairman of Tom’s Watch Bar. “Their complementary expertise and unified vision will accelerate the company’s aggressive national expansion plans through 2025 and beyond.”
Tom’s Watch Bar continues to transform the sports entertainment industry, taking an innovative approach to create a high-energy atmosphere with an expansive drink menu and upscale food items that replicates the excitement of being at a live stadium. Their signature 360-degree viewing environment, anchored by a central stadium screen and hundreds of HD displays, capitalizes on surging demand across traditional sports, fantasy leagues and sports betting through state-of-the-art audiovisual technology.
Brooks Schaden and McNiel previously served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer, respectively, playing integral roles in the company’s development since its founding in 2018.
Brooks Schaden brings decades of entrepreneurial, private equity and investment banking experience, including key roles at Merrill Lynch, ABN-AMRO and in the development of Smashburger during its high-growth phase, and was directly involved in its eventual sale to Jollibee Foods.
McNiel, recognized as a people-first operator, has held decades of senior leadership positions at premier restaurant brands including Texas Roadhouse, Bubbas 33, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Darden.
“Brooks and Shannon have been the instrumental core in building Tom’s Watch Bar into the thriving brand it is today,” says Ryan. “I’m confident their combined leadership will propel the company to even greater heights as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Tom’s Watch Bar is slated to continue expansion throughout 2024 and 2025, including the opening of its Indianapolis location before the end of this year, as it brings its innovative sports viewing concept to new markets across the United States.
Tom’s Watch Bar currently operates 13 locations nationwide with aggressive expansion plans. The concept has proven successful across various markets, from major sports cities to entertainment districts.
SOURCE: Tom’s Watch Bar