T.G.I Friday Exec Jumps to Expanding Hard Rock

ORLANDO-Hard Rock Café International, in an expansion mode, has hired two merchandising and restaurant industry professionals–David Catalano and Janet Kane.

Catalano comes to Orlando-based Hard Rock from the T.G.I Friday’s division of Dallas-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. As Hard Rock’s vice president of worldwide operations, he will oversee the company’s day-to-day schedules, food and beverage research, development, purchasing and group sales for 100 global restaurants. He was T.G.I. Friday’s vice president/operations for the Northeast.

Kane is Hard Rock’s vice president/retail merchandising and licensing. At Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, VA, she handled merchandising and operations of 28 retail stores, national catalog, e-commerce efforts and a nationwide licensing program with annual sales of $110 million.