Bloomin' exec, fresh off national award, shares leadership tips

After a close to a decade in the top spot, Liz Smith shifted out of the CEO role at Bloomin’ Brands earlier this spring, taking on the role of chairwoman of the publicly traded company.

But while out of the Wall Street limelight, Smith remains a highly-respected restaurant and hospitality executive. For her work at Tampa-based Bloomin’ — parent of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar — Smith was recently named to the 2019 class of Golden Chain Award winners from Nation’s Restaurant News.