Tony Roma’s® Honors Legendary Chef David Smith

Recognized as the pioneer who brought Baby Back Ribs to mainstream dining, Tony Roma’s celebrates Chef David’s birthday with exciting fan specials

ORLANDO, Fla. – November 14, 2017 – Romacorp, Inc., parent company of Tony Roma’s®, honors the late Chef David Smith and celebrates why he’s such a legend in the first place – for developing Tony Roma’s world-famous Baby Back Ribs and popularizing its signature ribs around the world.  Chef David’s passion for the grill and dedication to satisfy the cravings of guests paved the way for Tony Roma’s global growth and made the brand a household name in over thirty countries around the world.

November 14^th is Chef David’s birthday, and to celebrate his birthday and his legendary impact on mainstream dining, Tony Roma’s will offer fans in select USA locations the chance to enjoy a special limited-time, $50 four-course “Master of the Grill” menu for two, highlighted by Tony Roma’s mouthwatering Original Baby Back Ribs. At Tony Roma’s locations in Orlando, FL, Sunny Isles Beach, FL, and Doral, FL, customers who order a full rack of Tony Roma’s Original Baby Back Ribs can “Raise a Glass” to celebrate Chef David’s birthday by selecting from their choice of a free Sam Adams draft beer, house wine, Classic Romarita®, or soft drink. These special offers are available for Tony Roma’s fans from November 14 to November 21.

“Chef David’s birthday is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the life of Tony Roma’s original chef, and his innovative spirit, by giving our fans the chance to enjoy his most iconic dish,” said Jim Rogers, Chief Marketing Officer for Romacorp, Inc. “Original Baby Back Ribs have become the heart of our brand, and Chef David was instrumental in making Tony Roma’s the world’s largest casual dining restaurant specializing in ribs.”

The story goes like this – in 1972, a man named Tony Roma decided to open a bar in North Miami, and he hired David Smith to be his chef. One day, David threw some ribs on the grill, slathered them with a special BBQ sauce he made from scratch, and a legend was born. It was that innovation that built the foundation of the Tony Roma’s brand and led to the popularization of American-style grilling and ribs around the world.

“In every recipe and dish Tony Roma’s offers, you can see the influence Chef David has and how that influence is pervasive in our unique, bold and delicious flavors,” said Chef Bob Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage for Romacorp, Inc. “We are proud to honor such an influential figure in the industry, and we are honored to continue building on the foundation he established, even 45 years later.”

About Romacorp, Inc.

Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma’s restaurants, the world’s largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has nearly 150 restaurant locations in more than 30 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma’s restaurant opened 45 years ago in North Miami, Florida. Tony Roma’s is also proud to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.cnfl.wish.org), one of the world’s leading children’s charities, in an effort to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses across Central and Northern Florida.  For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma’s, visit www.tonyromas.com.

Please visit www.tonyromasfranchise.com or call (866) 981-0586 for information about Tony Roma’s franchising opportunities.

For information about retail sales licensing opportunities with the Tony Roma’s brand, contact Bill Cross, SVP, Broad Street Licensing Group at (973) 655-0598.

Media Contact:
Esther McIlvain
Uproar PR for Romacorp, Inc.
(321) 236-0102 x 230
emcilvain@uproarpr.com