LongHorn president speaks to students

Dave George, president of LongHorn Steakhouse, spoke to students about restaurant management and related topics Monday.

Students in restaurant, hotel and meetings management heard him speak at the Child Development Research Center as part of the 2008 Senior Celebration.

George took over as president of LongHorn Steakhouse in 2003. He first joined the company in April 1998 as vice president of Operations-North. After two years with the company, he was promoted to vice president of operations for The Capital Grille, a division of RARE Hospitality International.

When he returned to LongHorn Steakhouse in October 2001, George was given the position of senior vice president of operations. Two years later, he was elected president.

George discussed the state of the restaurant industry nationwide, as well as possible career opportunities in the field for incoming graduates. He stressed the importance of excellence in the field, as well as focusing on leadership, management, operations and support excellence.

George gave students an inside look into the company, focusing mostly on the Darden-RARE relationship and how it has affected the growth and prosperity of the company. He cited many prominent figures, focusing on the 1,700 restaurants currently owned by Darden, Inc.

Students were also introduced to key marketing strategies utilized by the corporation, such as the stressed importance of creating a quick, casual, midscale, fine dining restaurant in today's market.

George said the importance of diversity and cooperation are two key role-player strategies in the success of a company.

"Diversity is an extremely important part of our world and our culture," he said.

George also said he encouraged students to always put the hospitality and customer service first.

"We believe if you do the right things and you do things right, you're going to be able to push your organization to the very top," he said.

During the closing of his speech, George talked about the history and future of LongHorn Steakhouse, mentioning the new LongHorn Steakhouse being opened in Tuscaloosa's Midtown Shopping Center in late May or early June.

He discussed the direction being taken by the more than 300 LongHorns in North America and referenced statistics such as the number of employees and annual profits.

At the end of his lecture, George answered student questions. In response to a question about choosing locations, such as the planned Midtown Village location, George said companies look for "growing towns and dynamics for support." He also mentioned they look at "demographics, incomes, growth of city office space, growth of retail space and price of real estate."

After his presentation, students consulted with Darden's human resource department and discussed available positions and internships, as well as any future opportunities offered.

Jessica Greene, a senior majoring in business management, said she found the speech "very informative and helpful."

"It gave me an inside look into the way companies work and I really think it helped take away some mystery from the field," she said.