New Greene Turtle CEO Focuses on Expanding

Based in Edgewater, restaurant has been heralded as one of the .

What started as a small bar in Ocean City, MD, has turned into a 33-chain business that stretches throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, DC.

In 2011, Entrepreneur magazine named it the 339th fastest and most successful chain in the country. But as the Maryland-centered bar and grill continued to grow, so did its need for excellent executive leadership.

That’s why recently announced it appointed Bob Berry, its current chief operating officer, as president and chief executive officer. He has served as COO since 2007.

Barry is now tasked with helping The Turtle become an even larger part of the East Coast sports and bar scene—expanding the brand to 150 franchise and company-owned restaurants. According to a release from the company, its board of directors appointed Barry at the end of June in large part due to his extensive experience in the food service and hospitality field.

The Fulton man has served in numerous executive roles in businesses throughout the East Coast, such as The Great Cookie in Baltimore and W.R. Grace & Co.’s American Café in Washington, DC, according to the release.

Executives of the Edgewater-based business said in the release that Barry’s strengths will help The Turtle enter a new phase in its life.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Barry discussed his long-road to “The Turtle,” and that his career in foodservice began in high school. As he grew as a professional manager in hospitality services, Barry told The Post that one of the hardest things was getting used to being someone’s boss.

But now, Barry said in the interview, he’s changing the mindset of his workers.

The customers that walk through The Greene Turtle’s doors, they are the bosses now, Barry told The Post.

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