James O'Reilly

James O'Reilly is the Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Hospitality Management, a position he assumed on June 19, 2023. He succeeded Michael Abt, who had been in the role since 2012. As CEO, O'Reilly is responsible for leading the company's growth and development across its brands, which include nearly 600 locations of Huddle House and Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. His strategic focus includes identifying additional brands for acquisition to expand Ascent's portfolio.123

Career Background:: Before joining Ascent, O'Reilly served as the CEO of Smokey Bones from 2019 to 2023 and previously held the CEO position at Long John Silver's. His extensive career also includes senior leadership roles at Sonic Drive-In and Yum! Brands, where he worked both domestically and internationally. O'Reilly began his career with Procter & Gamble in Canada and has over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry.145

Education:: O'Reilly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University and an MBA from York University, which complement his extensive experience in restaurant management and marketing.4

Vision for Ascent:: In his new role, O'Reilly expressed enthusiasm for leading Ascent's two well-known family-dining brands and emphasized the significant opportunities for growth ahead. He aims to work closely with franchisees and the Ascent team to maximize their potential.23