O'Charley's says unit president leaves

Friday, August 19, 2011, Vol. 35, No. 33

NASHVILLE(AP) - Restaurant operator O'Charley's Inc. said Monday the president of its O'Charley's chain has left the company.

Wilson L. Craft, resigned to pursue other interests, according to the Nashville, Tenn.-based chain.

He will be replaced on an interim basis by president and CEO David W. Head.

O'Charley's Inc. operates O'Charley's, Ninety Nine Restaurant and Stoney River Legendary Steaks restaurants.

Restaurant operators have faced difficulty in the face of high food costs and consumers who have eaten at home more since the recession. But earlier this month O'Charley's Inc. said Thursday that its third-quarter loss narrowed as the restaurant operator boosted revenue while keeping expenses in check.

Its revenue climbed 1 percent to $193.3 million - the company's first quarterly revenue increase since the third quarter of 2007, before the recession.