“Joe will bring a new perspective to the boardroom and support the Company’s efforts to drive growth and enhance shareholder value,” Norman Abdallah, Chief Executive Officer of Del Frisco’s, commented. “We look forward to furthering our constructive relationship with Engaged Capital. Under the Cooperation Agreement, we are terminating the rights plan well before its scheduled expiration, which we believe is in the best interests of the Company and all of its shareholders.”
Glenn W. Welling, the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Engaged Capital, said, “I am pleased to have reached this agreement as part of a constructive dialogue with Del Frisco’s. In addition to his decades of experience working inside boardrooms, Joe Reece brings exceptional experience in investment banking and the capital markets to Del Frisco’s which will be instrumental as the Board evaluates the various opportunities available to maximize value for all shareholders.”
Joe Reece has over 30 years of experience as a business leader. His experience working with executives at corporations, financial sponsors, and institutional investors, as well as serving on several public company boards, will bring an added dimension to the Board.
Mr. Reece is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Helena Capital. Mr. Reece previously served as Executive Vice Chairman and Head of the Investment Bank for the Americas at UBS Group AG from 2017-2018 as well as serving on the board of UBS Securities, LLC. Mr. Reece also held numerous leadership roles at Credit Suisse Group AG from 1997-2015, including most recently as Global Head of Equity Capital Markets. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Corporate Attorney at Skadden Arps and Streich Lang. Mr. Reece also served as Special Counsel and Attorney at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Mr. Reece currently serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee at Boxwood Merger Corporation and is a Member of the Compensation and Audit Committees at RumbleOn, Inc. He previously served as Chair of the Special Committee and Member of the Executive Committee at CST Brands, Inc., as well as Chair of the Special Committee and Member of the Audit Committee at LSB Industries, Inc.
Mr. Reece holds degrees from the University of Akron and Georgetown University Law Center.
The complete agreement between the Company and Engaged Capital, as well as the amendment to the shareholder rights plan, will be included in a Form8-K to be filed with the SEC.
About Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc.
Based in Irving, Texas, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is a collection of 73 restaurants across 16 states and Washington, D.C., including Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Grille, Barcelona Wine Bar, and bartaco.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse serves flawless cuisine that’s bold and delicious, and offers an extensive award-winning wine list and level of service that reminds guests that they’re the boss. Del Frisco’s Grille is modern, inviting, stylish, and fun, taking the classic bar and grill to new heights, and drawing inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Barcelona serves tapas, both simple and elegant, using the best seasonal picks from local markets and unusual specialties from Spain and the Mediterranean, and offers an extensive selection of wines from Spain and South America featuring over 40 wines by the glass. bartaco combines fresh, upscale street food and award-winning cocktails made with artisanal spirits and freshly-squeezed juices with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment.