Restaurant Growth Services, LLC (formerly ABRH, LLC) is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and provides a host of management services for restaurant brands. The services include executive leadership, strategy, operational oversight, supply chain, technology, human resources, benefits, financial reporting, treasury management, legal counsel, training and more.
Restaurant Growth Services, LLC currently provides services to — Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub and O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar.
Executive Leadership:
Lee Rathbun - President and Chief Administrative Officer Lee Rathbun joined the Restaurant Growth Services team in 2015 and currently serves as President & Chief Administrative Officer. He began his restaurant career in 1998 at TGI Friday's while studying Engineering at the University of Tennessee, developing a passion for the industry which led to a career change. Lee gained experience at Chili's and Red Robin before joining the O'Charley's brand and subsequently RGS. His extensive background spans operations, human resources, facilities, and he most recently held the position of Vice President of Culinary and Supply Chain. Lee is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Thurston Booth - Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Howard - Chief Operations Officer
Greg Babineau - SVP Operations Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub
Greg Babineau has been with Ninety Nine for 38 years and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations with responsibility for the entire Ninety Nine portfolio. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant business, he began his restaurant career with Steak & Ale Restaurants. Babineau was hired by the Nines in 1986 upon moving back to his home state of Massachusetts.
Greg Babineau has been with Ninety Nine for 38 years and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations with responsibility for the entire Ninety Nine portfolio. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant business, he began his restaurant career with Steak & Ale Restaurants. Babineau was hired by the Nines in 1986 upon moving back to his home state of Massachusetts.
Jay Holdren - VP Operations O'Charley's
Michelle Giovine - SVP Marketing
Michelle Giovine joined the Ninety Nine Restaurant team in 2000, starting as Marketing & Beverage Manager before assuming the role as Vice President of Marketing for the Nines. In her current position as Senior Vice President of Marketing, she is responsible for marketing and brand leadership for both Ninety Nine and O'Charley's. She began her restaurant career at Friendly's Ice Cream and has held various operations, training and marketing roles at Pizzeria Uno along with Max & Erma's. Giovine currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
Giovine earned a bachelor's degree in management and marketing from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Michelle Giovine joined the Ninety Nine Restaurant team in 2000, starting as Marketing & Beverage Manager before assuming the role as Vice President of Marketing for the Nines. In her current position as Senior Vice President of Marketing, she is responsible for marketing and brand leadership for both Ninety Nine and O'Charley's. She began her restaurant career at Friendly's Ice Cream and has held various operations, training and marketing roles at Pizzeria Uno along with Max & Erma's. Giovine currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
Giovine earned a bachelor's degree in management and marketing from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Kevin Forsberg - SVP Information Technology
Kevin Forsberg began his career with O'Charley's in 1993 as an IT Support Technician. Since then, he has been an integral part of numerous technology projects, upgrades, and point-of-sale implementations. In his current role as Senior Vice President of IT for Restaurant Growth Services, Forsberg is responsible for infrastructure and security, retail systems and IT support, as well as application development for both brands. He started his restaurant career in operations with Houston's Restaurants then moving to Mere Bulles as General Manager prior to joining O'Charley's. Forsberg earned his bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from Penn State University.
Kevin Forsberg began his career with O'Charley's in 1993 as an IT Support Technician. Since then, he has been an integral part of numerous technology projects, upgrades, and point-of-sale implementations. In his current role as Senior Vice President of IT for Restaurant Growth Services, Forsberg is responsible for infrastructure and security, retail systems and IT support, as well as application development for both brands. He started his restaurant career in operations with Houston's Restaurants then moving to Mere Bulles as General Manager prior to joining O'Charley's. Forsberg earned his bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from Penn State University.
Michelle Davidson - SVP Human Resources
Michelle Davidson joined Ninety Nine in 2011 as a Human Resources Manager and now serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources supporting both Ninety Nine and O'Charley's. She began her career in human resources at Wendy's International, Inc. providing field HR support to corporate and franchise restaurants in Wendy's New England division. Davidson then worked as Director of HR and Training for Newport Restaurant Group/Newport Harbor Corporation, an ESOP-owned hospitality company based in Newport, RI.
She holds a bachelor's degree in music from Ithaca College and a master's degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.
Michelle Davidson joined Ninety Nine in 2011 as a Human Resources Manager and now serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources supporting both Ninety Nine and O'Charley's. She began her career in human resources at Wendy's International, Inc. providing field HR support to corporate and franchise restaurants in Wendy's New England division. Davidson then worked as Director of HR and Training for Newport Restaurant Group/Newport Harbor Corporation, an ESOP-owned hospitality company based in Newport, RI.
She holds a bachelor's degree in music from Ithaca College and a master's degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.
Phillip Purcell - General Counsel
Phillip Purcell was named General Counsel for Restaurant Growth Services in June 2024. As the chief legal officer, Purcell heads RGS' legal and risk management departments, overseeing all legal matters, including corporate governance, labor and employment law, risk management, real estate, and litigation. Purcell brings more than 30 years of legal experience to Restaurant Growth Services, including more than 25 years' experience with restaurant brands such as Shoney's, Captain D's, Denny's and the Black-eyed Pea. He has served in various capacities for Restaurant Growth Services since 2018. A Nashville native, Purcell earned a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Technological University and his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Phillip Purcell was named General Counsel for Restaurant Growth Services in June 2024. As the chief legal officer, Purcell heads RGS' legal and risk management departments, overseeing all legal matters, including corporate governance, labor and employment law, risk management, real estate, and litigation. Purcell brings more than 30 years of legal experience to Restaurant Growth Services, including more than 25 years' experience with restaurant brands such as Shoney's, Captain D's, Denny's and the Black-eyed Pea. He has served in various capacities for Restaurant Growth Services since 2018. A Nashville native, Purcell earned a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Technological University and his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Restaurant Growth Services, LLC is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cannae Holdings, Inc.
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