WINTER PARK, Fla. – Effective July 20, the board of directors of Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. (RHGI), a restaurant company focused on upscale dining with Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse as its flagship restaurant, announced the promotion of Cheryl Henry to president and COO. Henry has been with RHGI for nine years and will continue to work with chairman and CEO Michael O’Donnell in leading the company.

“I am very pleased to announce Cheryl’s promotion, and have enjoyed the honor of working closely with her over the past eight years,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “In every challenge Cheryl has undertaken, she’s created great success and demonstrated the leadership skills essential to her new and expanded role. I look forward to continuing my work with Cheryl, our outstanding and long-tenured leadership team, as well as our franchise community, as we continue to grow the brand of Ruth’s Chris Steak House.”

Henry’s new responsibilities include human resources oversight, IT, day-to-day operations and working with Ruth’s Chris Steak House eight-year veteran Kevin Toomy, chief of operations. These responsibilities are in addition to culinary, brand marketing and real estate development. Henry has been with RHGI since 2007 and been promoted three times. She has served as chief branding officer and senior vice president since August of 2011. Prior to joining RHGI, Henry worked as the chief of staff to the mayor of Orlando.