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Kent Rathbun steps down from daily operations of Abacus, Jasper’s

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Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

June 2, 2016

1 Min Read
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Kent Rathbun

Kent Rathbun

Famed restaurateur Kent Rathbun has resigned from day-to-day operations at the Dallas-based multi-concept group named for him, the company said Thursday.

In a statement, Bill Hyde, partner in Kent Rathbun Concepts, said Rathbun will be relinquishing daily activities to “pursue other avenues of interest,” though he will remain a stakeholder in the company.

“We are currently exploring his new role and welcome his continued engagement for the benefit of our guests, staff and company,” Hyde said. “We are extremely proud of the culinary talent we have placed in each restaurant and look forward to continuing to serve our valued guests.”

No further details on Rathbun’s plans were available.

[CHARTBEAT:3]

Kent Rathbun Concepts operates the fine-dining restaurant Abacus in Dallas, which opened in 1997, a concept that has won national acclaim.

Jasper’s was developed as a more-casual concept, described by the company as offering “gourmet backyard cuisine.”

Kent Rathbun Concepts operates three locations of Jasper’s in Plano, Richardson and Woodlands, TX. A Jasper’s location in Austin closed in May when a lease expired, but the company is looking for a new location there.

The newest of the group’s concepts is Hickory in Plano, which opened in 2015, and features burgers and barbecue. The company also operates a private event space called The Kitchen at 6130 and Kent Rathbun Catering.

Contact Lisa Jennings: [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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