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

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.

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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.

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