HOUSTON (July 23, 2010) Chris Tripoli, president of A La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Denver-based Gene Gunn as the company's newest hospitality consulting associate.

Gunn, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is a 30-year veteran of the restaurant and club industry. Early in his career, Gunn cofounded the popular '60s-themed club Studebaker's of America, which he grew to 19 company-owned units in addition to six franchised operations. He sold the concept to Houston-based McFaddin Ventures and, in pursuing years, went on to develop and operate 28 restaurant and nightclub concepts throughout the United States and abroad, with sales approximating $85 million annually.

Gunn became a partner and executive vice president of Leisure Management and then Entertainment One, which purchased McFaddin Ventures. These companies developed and operated 22 establishments in major cities across the United States, generating sales of $52 million annually. Included were Walter Peyton's Club 34, The America's Bar and The Pacific Club. At the same time, Entertainment One was the master lessee of food and beverage operations for Houston Intercontinental Airport, a major undertaking involving the redesign and rebranding of 82,000 square feet of F&B space.

After a dozen years with Entertainment One, Gunn moved to Hawaii where he started Entertainment One Pacific. He managed and eventually reconcepted two Studebaker's, served as development manager for two Chili's franchises (on Oahu and Maui), and founded three restaurants and nightclubs of his own: Ocean Club, Big Island Steak Houses and Pinky's Pupu Bar & Grill. These generated over $10 million annually in sales.

Today Gunn is based in Denver, Colorado, where he will seek business opportunities and strategic alliances for A La Carte with hospitality companies and organizations in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.

Says Tripoli, "We are fortunate to have Gene Gunn as our newest A La Carte associate. His knowledge and experience will greatly assist us with the franchise development work we provide for our clients."

A La Carte Foodservice Consulting Group was formed by Tripoli in 1997 to offer full-service consultation to the restaurant hospitality industry. A La Carte's services include developing new concepts for existing operators, improving unit operations, and increasing profitability through the creation and implementation of operating systems and procedures, staff training, marketing, promotion and franchise development as well as other services related to growth and business enhancement. The company also provides continuing education to independent restaurant operators through seminars and workshops on a variety of topics regarding restaurant operations.

The hospitality consulting firm is headquartered at 14125 Memorial, Suite 104, in Houston, Texas 770709; telephone 866-293-0077. For further details, visit the company website at www.alacarteconsultinggroup.com.