Longtime East Tennessee businessman and hospitality partner Gary Douglas has named Brian Watts Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Hospitality Partners of Tennessee, a hospitality management and investment company overseeing a diverse portfolio of restaurant and business operations throughout East Tennessee.
Cornerstone Hospitality Partners’ restaurant portfolio includes Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina & Tequila Bar in Gatlinburg and Knoxville, Puckers Sports Grill in Gatlinburg and Johnny Rockets in Gatlinburg, along with additional business interests outside the restaurant industry.
The formation of Cornerstone marks a new chapter for businesses with deep roots in East Tennessee hospitality and brings together two longtime leaders whose careers were shaped by their work alongside the late restaurateur and entrepreneur Chad Kennedy.
A Partnership Built on Experience
Douglas was Kennedy’s longtime business partner and played a significant role in the growth of Kennedy Concepts. With a professional background in advertising and business development, Douglas worked alongside Kennedy to develop and establish several of the company’s restaurant concepts, including Loco Burro in Gatlinburg and Knoxville, Johnny Rockets in Gatlinburg and Puckers Sports Grill.
The history of those concepts stretches back more than two decades. Puckers Sports Grill traces its roots to Gatlinburg in 1999, when Kennedy opened the original restaurant at age 22. The concept became part of a larger multi-concept hospitality organization that eventually grew to nine restaurant concepts across East Tennessee.
Loco Burro later became one of the organization’s signature concepts, combining a high-energy atmosphere, Tex-Mex-inspired menu and rooftop experience in the heart of Gatlinburg. The brand subsequently expanded to Knoxville with a location at West Town Mall.
Johnny Rockets in Gatlinburg further established the organization’s presence along one of Tennessee’s most heavily traveled tourism corridors.
Those established operations now form part of the foundation for Cornerstone Hospitality Partners and its next phase of growth.
Watts Named CEO
Watts brings extensive financial, operational and restaurant leadership experience to his new position.
Before joining Cornerstone, Watts served as Chief Financial Officer of Kennedy Concepts, working closely with Kennedy, Douglas and the company’s leadership team as the organization expanded to nine restaurant concepts.
His responsibilities extended well beyond traditional financial management. Watts was involved in financial strategy, operations, growth and the management of a complex multi-concept restaurant organization, giving him a broad understanding of the financial discipline and operational leadership required to build sustainable hospitality businesses.
Kennedy also served as an important mentor to Watts, shaping his approach to hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership and perseverance.
“Chad taught me that this business is about much more than food and numbers, it’s about people, experiences and never giving up when things get difficult,” Watts said. “I had the privilege of working alongside him while helping manage and grow nine concepts, and I learned firsthand what it takes to build a hospitality business. As we move forward with Cornerstone Hospitality Partners, I intend to carry those lessons with me.”
Building the Next Chapter
For Douglas, naming Watts CEO represents a continuation of a professional relationship built through years of working together within Kennedy Concepts.
“Brian understands every side of this business,” Douglas said. “He understands the numbers, but he also understands operations, growth and people. We spent years working together and building businesses alongside Chad, and I know the experience and leadership Brian brings to the table. I have tremendous confidence in him and in what we are building together.”
Douglas will remain actively involved in the strategic growth and development of Cornerstone, contributing his experience in advertising, brand development and business strategy. As CEO, Watts will lead the company’s executive, financial and operational direction.
Together, Douglas and Watts plan to strengthen Cornerstone’s existing brands while pursuing opportunities involving new concepts, strategic partnerships, management opportunities and future investments.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
For both Douglas and Watts, Cornerstone represents more than a new business venture. It is also an opportunity to apply lessons learned during years of building businesses alongside Kennedy.
“I’ll always be grateful to Chad for believing in me and giving me opportunities to grow,” Watts said. “There are lessons he taught me that I’ll carry for the rest of my life. Cornerstone is an opportunity to take everything I’ve learned from Chad, from Gary and from years in this industry and use it to build something that can have a lasting impact in East Tennessee.”
Cornerstone’s approach will emphasize disciplined financial management, strong brand development, operational accountability, exceptional guest experiences and a culture centered on the people behind its businesses.
With established operations in Knoxville and Gatlinburg, the company plans to continue growing through its existing concepts while pursuing new business opportunities, strategic partnerships and future investments.
About Cornerstone Hospitality Partners of Tennessee
Cornerstone Hospitality Partners of Tennessee is an East Tennessee-based hospitality management and investment company overseeing a diverse portfolio of restaurant and business operations.
Its restaurant portfolio includes Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina & Tequila Bar in Knoxville and Gatlinburg, Puckers Sports Grill in Gatlinburg and Johnny Rockets in Gatlinburg, along with additional business interests outside the restaurant industry.
Led by CEO Brian Watts and longtime East Tennessee businessman Gary Douglas, Cornerstone combines decades of experience in hospitality, finance, operations, advertising, brand development and business growth.
The company is focused on creating long-term value through strong leadership, disciplined financial management, operational excellence, strategic brand development and continued investment in the people and communities its businesses serve.
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