4 Hartford Business Journal•March23,2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com
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opening several other Outbacks from 2000 to
2004. Hull then loaned Jones $50,000 to open
his own Outback's in New London, which Jones
paid back in 18 months. For the next six years,
Jones served as a managing partner until Out-
back was bought out by another company.
Darden Restaurants Inc. — owners of
Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other assets
— recruited Jones to be a general manager at
their new Olive Garden restaurant in Boston
in 2010. He served in that role for two years,
before Outback reached out.
The previous Outback owners decided at
that time to buy back the company — Bone-
fish Grill was among the restaurants in the
portfolio. They offered Jones the chance to
be a proprietor of the Bonefish Grill they were
opening in March of 2013 in the posh Prom-
enade Shops at Evergreen Walk location.
Bonefish Grill was becoming one of the
fastest growing restaurant chains in the
country. Jones was "looking for an opportu-
nity to be part of something special."
He describes his management style as one
that is "kind with people; tough on results."
He's never forgotten his days as a bus boy and
he wants to see his employees have the opportu-
nity to grow in the business the way he did. As a
boss, Jones is clearly proud that over the years he
has promoted four employees to the role of busi-
ness partner and more than 20 into managers.
"If I can teach someone to think a certain
way — the Bonefish way — it makes my job
easier and gives them a tool to better their lives.
Someone saw something in me, so I want to try
and continue to help people to grow."
The restaurant, which seats 450 people,
is open seven days a week. The menu is "sea-
food-centric" and steaks — and there is an
ample bar that greets guests as they enter.
Jones' focus is on growth — growing a
brand that reflects a satisfying experience
for his customers, growing revenue, profes-
sional growth for his employees and business
expansion for himself.
There is a five-digit monthly lease that has
to be met, so generating at least 20,000 lunch-
es a week is the expectation. Dinner entrees
(ranging from $20 to $30) include Chilean sea
bass, Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, filet
mignon and rib-eye steak.
Jones is a hands-on owner. No job is too
menial. Once a week, he'll even throw on a
chef's apron and work the grill or help out in
the kitchen.
And if the pipes ever spring a leak, the
employees know who to call. n
Stan Simpson is host of "The Stan Simpson
Show", which airs Saturday, 5:30 a.m., on
Fox CT and online at FoxCt.com/stan. You can
send suggestions for the "Faces in Business"
column to stansimpson@comcast.net.
Bonefish
Health care also holds great promise
for those who provide it.
Today, health care means more than medicine. As health care becomes an increasingly important part of
our lives, it also means employment opportunities. At Yale New Haven Health, we're proud of the role
we're playing in providing good-paying jobs for people throughout the state. As a strong and growing
system, we've been able to sustain access to high-quality care and help practices operate more efficiently,
while keeping thousands of skilled, dedicated healthcare workers on the job. And as we grow, we can
create even more employment opportunities. Which, in turn, will help people and communities build
more prosperous futures. Health care is moving forward in so many promising new ways. As it does, Yale
New Haven Health will continue to do our part for economic growth and a brighter future for Connecticut.
YaleNewHavenHealth.org
Bridgeport Hospital Greenwich Hospital Yale-New Haven Hospital Northeast Medical Group
YNNH-2891 AdvocacyNurse7.4375x9.625.indd 1 3/11/15 4:44 PM
