Russell Fenton
Russell Fenton, who contributes eighteen years experience of successful restaurant operations, manages Realty America Hospitality Group. Russell has extensive experience in design and construction of restaurants and kitchens, working directly with architects and contractors, and planning and managing restaurant operational start-ups.
Russell's work history includes the management and consultations of several high volume and highly successful restaurants, including Pappasito's, Chevy's, Uncle Julio's, Café Deluxe, Tortilla Coast, and TGI Fridays.
Russell was a founding partner of Uncle Julio's, a Dallas Mexican restaurant chain based on Pappasito's, now with 14 locations. He oversaw construction, training, hiring, and daily operation of the stores. As part of an Uncle Julio's joint venture, Fenton helped develop Chevy's (102 restaurants). Rusty also served as Director of Operations for Ocho Café, with restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
As a consultant, Russell worked with On the Border to help "tighten" operations before an IPO. On the Border is now owned by Brinker International and has grown to well over 130 restaurants. He also served as a consultant for Tortilla Coast and Café Deluxe in Washington, DC, assisting with start-ups, refinement of restaurant operations, menu selections, and hiring.
Russell Fenton headed the transformation of Routh Street Brewery. Once a struggling brewpub, he transformed the concept into a popular and busy restaurant. Routh Street was named one of D Magazine's D Best for restaurants in 2001.
Mr. Fenton was most recently employed by Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. Working with Stephan Pyles and Michael Cox, he helped develop Taqueria Canonita, a Mexican food prototype for Carlson. Russell was responsible for the initial organization and daily operation of the restaurant. Also with Carlson, Russell provided transitional management for Samba Room, Timpano Italian Chophouse, and Star Canyon, operating the restaurants until they were sold, as well as locating buyers for the concepts.