Oak & Stone adding 3 locations, new president appointed

A popular restaurant chain in the region is expanding, and it also has a new leader at the helm. Oak & Stone will be adding three locations, including one out of state, this year. As the business looks to expand its footprint, parent company Artistry Restaurants appointed Sam Aguilar as president of the Oak & Stone brand.

Since launching in Sarasota in 2016, the American tavern-style concept of Oak & Stone has grown to include seven locations: Bradenton, Estero, Naples, Sarasota (Clark Road and UTC), St. Petersburg and Venice (Wellen Park).

Aguilar started working at Oak & Stone as a director in 2017 and most recently was vice president, according to a statement, which credits him with helping to grow the brand, team and profits year-over-year. Before Oak & Stone, Aguilar held similar operational roles at Stonewood Holdings Restaurant Group.

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Under Aguilar’s leadership, Oak & Stone will add two more locations in Florida in the fourth quarter of 2025: one in Cape Coral and another in Winter Park that will serve as the brand’s central Florida flagship, according to the statement. A third location will mark Oak & Stone’s first foray out of state when it opens in McKinney, Texas, in the fourth quarter as well.

“I look forward to leading this next phase in the brand’s growth as we introduce this unmatched concept to new markets, while continuing to deliver operational excellence together with our passionate and inspired team,” Aguilar says in the statement. 

The Texas restaurant will also be the first in that state for Artistry Restaurants, which owns Oak & Stone as well as the Hickory Tavern in the Carolinas; The Chapman in Winter Park; Boca in Sarasota and Winter Park; Shrimp Basket in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi; Atlantic Beer and Oyster in Winter Park; and Sandbar Amelia Island in Fernandina Beach.