Firebirds Taps Veteran CFO Jeff Uttz to Fuel Aggressive Growth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 08, 2026 – Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is adding significant financial firepower to its executive leadership, announcing the appointment of restaurant industry veteran Jeff Uttz as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective May 18, 2026. The strategic hire comes as the polished-casual steakhouse, owned by private equity firm Garnett Station Partners, prepares for an aggressive expansion phase.

Uttz, who succeeds Caren Prince following her departure in January, will report to CEO Steve Kislow. He joins a brand that has carved out a distinct niche with its signature wood-fired cooking and elevated atmosphere. His appointment is a clear signal of Firebirds' intent to accelerate its growth trajectory and solidify its position in a competitive market.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Uttz to the Firebirds family,” said Steve Kislow, Chief Executive Officer of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. “His extensive experience guiding high-growth restaurant companies through critical expansion phases, combined with his deep expertise in cross-functional collaboration, makes him the perfect addition to our executive team. As we continue to strengthen our leadership position in the polished casual dining segment, Jeff's strategic vision and proven ability to develop and lead high performing finance organizations will be invaluable.”

An Architect of High-Profile Restaurant Growth

Jeff Uttz arrives at Firebirds with a formidable resume chronicling key financial leadership roles during periods of transformative growth for some of the industry's most recognized brands. His track record demonstrates a proficiency not only in financial stewardship but also in executing complex strategic initiatives that scale restaurant concepts.

Most recently, Uttz served a four-year tenure as CFO of Kura Sushi USA, a technology-forward revolving sushi concept. During his leadership, he was instrumental in more than doubling the chain’s footprint from 39 to 88 locations. He successfully improved corporate profitability through a combination of G&A savings and technology-driven efficiencies, and he guided the company through two successful public follow-on offerings.

Prior to Kura Sushi, Uttz was the Chief Financial Officer for Shake Shack Inc., where he played a pivotal role in one of the decade's most high-profile restaurant IPOs in 2015. He was responsible for building the finance organization from the ground up to support a public company's infrastructure and supported the cross-functional efforts that resulted in opening 45 new restaurants.

His longest tenure was a 12-year stint as Executive Vice President and CFO of Yard House USA, Inc. There, he established the company's entire finance infrastructure, supported its real estate transactions, and was a key figure in facilitating the successful acquisition of the brand by Darden Restaurants, Inc. This diverse experience—spanning IPOs, acquisitions, and rapid organic growth—makes him uniquely qualified to navigate Firebirds' ambitious future.

Fueling the Expansion Engine

Uttz’s appointment is timed to perfection as Firebirds looks to build on its recent momentum. The company, which currently operates nearly 70 restaurants across more than 20 states, is coming off a strong performance. According to industry data from Technomic, Firebirds generated $357 million in domestic system sales in 2024, with its restaurants boasting impressive average unit volumes (AUVs) that surpassed $6 million, even as the system grew by nearly 7%.

While CEO Steve Kislow described 2025 sales as “flattish”—a result he deemed a success given the challenging consumer environment—the brand is now poised to ignite its development pipeline. The company plans to open seven new locations in 2026. This expansion includes a significant strategic milestone: Firebirds’ first-ever restaurant in Kentucky, set to open in Lexington. Additional growth is planned for North Carolina and the Jacksonville, Florida area, where a new restaurant is in development at Durban Park.

Kislow added, “We look forward to his contributions as we write the next chapter of growth for Firebirds.” Uttz's experience in managing the financial complexities of multi-unit expansion and real estate transactions will be critical as the company enters new markets and scales its operations.

Navigating a Competitive Dining Landscape

The polished casual dining segment remains a fiercely competitive arena. Firebirds competes not only with direct steakhouse and American grill rivals like Capital Grille and Fleming's but also with a broad spectrum of casual dining chains vying for consumers' discretionary spending. In a market where some legacy brands have stumbled, maintaining relevance and a strong value proposition is paramount.

Firebirds has proactively addressed this by focusing on its core brand differentiators: an energetic, fire-centric atmosphere and an elevated level of service. To protect margins against inflation, the company has strategically managed its menu mix, promoting value-driven offerings alongside its signature hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood. Furthermore, the brand has been investing in refreshing its older locations—updating bars, patios, and decor—to ensure the guest experience remains crisp and modern.

Uttz's background in leveraging technology for efficiency at Kura Sushi and managing profitability aligns perfectly with these industry-wide pressures. His expertise will be vital in helping Firebirds balance an elevated guest experience with the operational discipline required for sustainable, long-term growth.

“Over the last two decades, Firebirds has built a truly unique guest experience, bringing people together over their signature open wood-fired grills to enjoy delicious hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, other wood-fired favorites, and the award-winning FIREBAR,” said Mr. Uttz. “I’ve had the privilege of working with several exceptional restaurant concepts during pivotal phases of expansion, and I see that same tremendous opportunity here at Firebirds. I look forward to partnering with Steve and the entire leadership team to build upon the strong foundation they’ve created and help ignite the clear potential ahead to drive long-term, sustainable growth.”

The combination of fresh capital from its 2023 acquisition by Garnett Station Partners, a clear expansion strategy, and now a seasoned financial architect at the helm positions Firebirds to turn up the heat on its competitors in the years to come.