Successfully Developed Three New Restaurant Concepts Prior to Sale of Company to FAT Brands Completes
During Tenure, Smith Served as Head of Marketing, Development, and President of Hurricane BTW Brand; Smith Also Oversaw Successful Development and Launch of Three New Hurricane Branded Restaurant Concepts: Hurricane BTW,
Hurricane Dockside and Hurricane Sports Grill.
Big Fish Brands’ Brooksy Smith, who served as President of Hurricane BTW and Chief Brand Officer for Hurricane AMT (Hurricane Grill & Wings, Hurricane Sports Grill, Hurricane BTW, and Hurricane Dockside), has concluded his two-year engagement with the company. Smith first joined the Hurricane brand in a contract role in 2016 and was tasked with developing a fast-casual concept for the company as well updating and improving the company’s overall marketing strategy and presence within the restaurant industry. Simultaneously, Hurricane AMT has been preparing for its sale to FAT Brands Inc.
During his tenure at the company, Smith led the development, operations, branding and marketing behind a total of eight new locations, which represent three new brand concepts. Within the last 24 months, each location was designed and developed internally by Smith and his team before being sold to franchise owners, and ultimately successfully opened.
- Smith launched the popular Hurricane BTW brand, which offers customers burgers, tacos, wings, milkshakes and beer in a fast-casual environment. Today, three Hurricane BTW locations are open: two in West Palm Beach and one in Gainesville, Florida.
- Smith also oversaw the development and opening of the first Hurricane Sports Grill in Wichita, Kansas. Currently, there are three Hurricane Sports Grill locations: Woodland Park, New Jersey and Pembroke Pines, Florida.
- Finally, Smith led and executed the opening of Hurricane Dockside in Hagerstown, Maryland, the first Hurricane Dockside opened since the chain acquired an existing restaurant monikered Dockside in Tavares, Florida several years ago.
“At one point in 2017 we considered not moving forward with the development of our restaurant. After a visit with Brooksy and our Area Director Eric Gustafson last spring we re-engaged with the brand and are very proud of owning the first restaurant built as a Hurricane Dockside,” Chris Girard, franchise owner of Hurricane Dockside in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Smith will return full-time to his role as president of Big Fish Brands, a Texas-based organization, which advises and manages small and mid-sized businesses during periods of transition and explosive growth.
“When I joined the Hurricane AMT team two years ago the company was in the midst of closing restaurants faster than new locations were opening,” Smith said. “This year we expect to see positive growth for the chain both in terms of total restaurants and system-wide revenue. I am proud of that turnaround.”
Jack Gandolfo, franchise owner two Hurricane BTW restaurants in West Palm Beach and one in Gainesville, Florida, agreed: “Our Gainesville location has shattered any projections we had in place and has quickly become an institution at the University of Florida. Brooksy has been a true partner to me and my team over the past year. He provided the vision and experience to evolve the Hurricane BTW concept from paper into reality. We are thankful for his assistance and friendship.”
About Hurricane Grill & Wings®
With over 55 restaurants open or under construction in eight states, Florida-based Hurricane Grill & Wings® is known for its jumbo fresh wings, more than 30 signature sauces and rubs and tropical, laid-back vibe. Named by USA Today as one of “10 Great Places to Wing It;” selected as one of the “Future 50” by Restaurant Business as well as one of Franchise Times “Top 40 Fast and Serious,” Hurricane Grill & Wings’ menu includes crave-able Hurricane’s Garlic & Parm fries, tacos, bowls, tasty salads, seafood entrees and fresh ½ pound burgers. The original Hurricane Grill & Wings opened in Fort Pierce, Fla., in 1995 and has expanded to locations in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New York, and Texas. For more information, visit www.hurricanewings.com.
About Big Fish Brands, LLC
Big Fish Brands is a Texas-based organization, which advises and manages small and mid-sized businesses during periods of transition and explosive growth. Brooksy Smith founded the company in 1996 and has guided the development of numerous projects. Learn more at www.bigfishbrands.com.
