The vintage-inspired dining concept Ford’s Garage, widely recognized for its immersive 1920s service-station atmosphere and official licensing partnership with the Ford Motor Company, has announced a significant restructuring of its executive tier to facilitate an aggressive national expansion strategy. The company confirmed the appointment of industry veteran Kathleen Bush as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and the promotion of David Ragosa to the position of Chief Development Officer (CDO). These leadership changes come at a pivotal juncture for the Florida-based brand, which has signaled its intent to scale operations significantly, including a roadmap to debut at least six new locations in 2026.

As Ford’s Garage transitions from a regional powerhouse into a national contender in the casual dining sector, the addition of Bush and the elevation of Ragosa represent a dual-pronged approach to growth. By focusing simultaneously on brand resonance and physical footprint, the company aims to capitalize on the increasing consumer demand for "eatertainment"—dining experiences that offer more than just a meal.

A Strategic Addition to the C-Suite: Kathleen Bush

Kathleen Bush joins Ford’s Garage with a professional pedigree spanning more than 20 years, characterized by her ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale restaurant marketing and automotive brand communications. Her appointment as Chief Marketing Officer places her at the helm of the brand’s entire outreach apparatus, including brand strategy, digital engagement, guest experience, and national communications.

Bush’s most recent tenure was as the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. During her time there, she was instrumental in steering the marketing efforts for a concept with nearly 500 units. Her work at Red Robin was defined by a focus on digital transformation—a critical component in the post-pandemic restaurant landscape—and the revitalization of brand-building initiatives designed to drive consistent foot traffic.

Beyond Red Robin, Bush’s career includes high-level roles at some of the industry’s most prominent names. She served as Vice President of Marketing for Torchy’s Tacos and Vice President of Communications at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). At CPK, she was responsible for leading large-scale brand initiatives that helped modernize the legacy brand’s image. Her early career roots in automotive communications and her experience at CKE Restaurants (the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s) provide her with a unique intersection of expertise perfectly suited for a brand like Ford’s Garage, which sits at the crossroads of the culinary and automotive worlds.

In her new role, Bush is tasked with deepening the connection between the brand and its "guests," a term the company uses to emphasize its focus on hospitality. "I’m incredibly excited to join Ford’s Garage and be part of an emerging brand that blends such a distinctive guest experience with strong growth potential," Bush stated. She emphasized that the brand’s core appeal—craveable food and genuine hospitality—remains the foundation upon which new, meaningful guest connections will be built.

Scaling the Footprint: The Elevation of David Ragosa

While Bush focuses on the brand’s narrative and digital presence, David Ragosa will focus on the brand’s physical expansion. Formerly leading franchising and development efforts, Ragosa’s promotion to Chief Development Officer reflects his successful track record in scaling restaurant brands through strategic market entry and franchise recruitment.

Ragosa’s background is steeped in the mechanics of high-growth franchising. He previously served as the Director of Franchising at Inspire Brands, one of the largest restaurant companies in the world. At Inspire, he was a key figure in the expansion of iconic brands such as Arby’s and Sonic Drive-In. His portfolio also included support for growth initiatives across other Inspire-owned concepts, including Jimmy John’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Rusty Taco.

In his capacity as CDO at Ford’s Garage, Ragosa will oversee the entire franchise development strategy. This includes identifying high-potential markets, vetting new franchise partners, and managing the pipeline of new openings. The restaurant industry currently faces a complex development environment characterized by high construction costs and fluctuating interest rates; Ragosa’s experience with multi-unit, high-volume concepts is expected to provide the steady hand needed to navigate these headwinds.

Context and Brand Heritage: The Ford’s Garage Phenomenon

To understand the significance of these hires, one must look at the unique position Ford’s Garage occupies in the American dining landscape. Founded in 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida, the restaurant was designed to evoke the feel of a 1920s service station. The concept proved so successful that it eventually secured an official licensing agreement with the Ford Motor Company, allowing it to use the automaker’s iconic blue oval logo and historic imagery.

The interior of a Ford’s Garage is a tribute to the "Model T" era, featuring vintage Ford vehicles suspended over bars, sinks made from tires and fuel pump nozzles, and servers dressed in mechanic-style uniforms. This level of immersion has allowed the brand to maintain high average unit volumes (AUVs) by attracting not just diners looking for a burger, but automotive enthusiasts and tourists seeking a unique environment.

The brand currently operates approximately 25 to 30 locations across several states, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas. The announcement of six new locations for 2026 suggests an acceleration of this pace, as the brand moves toward a more dense national presence.

Executive Perspectives and Industry Implications

Billy Downs, President of Ford’s Garage, expressed high confidence in the new leadership structure. "We are thrilled to welcome Kathleen to Ford’s Garage and to recognize David’s expanded leadership role at such an exciting time for our brand," Downs said. He noted that the combination of Bush’s strategic marketing mindset and Ragosa’s franchising expertise positions the company to "accelerate our expansion and strengthen our connection with guests nationwide."

The timing of these appointments is consistent with broader trends in the casual dining industry. According to market analysts, the "themed dining" segment is experiencing a resurgence as consumers prioritize "shareable" experiences that translate well to social media. By bringing in a CMO with deep digital transformation experience, Ford’s Garage is likely looking to modernize its loyalty programs and social media engagement to better capture the younger demographic of "foodies" and "influencers."

Furthermore, the promotion of a CDO from within the ranks of Inspire Brands—a company known for its rigorous, data-driven approach to site selection—indicates that Ford’s Garage is moving away from a "mom-and-pop" growth model toward a more sophisticated, institutionalized development strategy.

Chronology of Brand Milestones

• 2012: The first Ford’s Garage opens in Fort Myers, Florida, focusing on craft beer and gourmet burgers.
• 2014-2016: The brand begins regional expansion across Florida, establishing its signature "service station" aesthetic.
• 2016: Ford’s Garage becomes an official licensee of the Ford Motor Company, a rare distinction for a restaurant concept.
• 2020-2022: Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand continues to open new locations, expanding into the Midwest.
• 2023-2024: The company focuses on internal infrastructure, culminating in the recent executive appointments to prepare for a "2026 surge."
• 2026 (Projected): Opening of six or more new locations, marking the brand’s most significant single-year growth period to date.

Broader Impact: Community and Industry Leadership

The appointment of Kathleen Bush also brings a dimension of social responsibility to the Ford’s Garage executive team. Bush is a recognized leader in the industry, currently serving on the Women in Restaurant Leadership Advisory Board. Her commitment to community service is evidenced by her role on the national board of Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit dedicated to providing food on the weekends for children who might otherwise go hungry.

From an academic perspective, Bush holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oxford and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Southern California. This blend of high-level academic training and "boots on the ground" industry experience is expected to bring a more analytical approach to the brand’s marketing spend and ROI.

Analysis of Future Growth

The "road ahead" for Ford’s Garage involves more than just opening doors in new cities. The challenge for themed restaurants is often maintaining the "novelty factor" while ensuring that the food quality remains high enough to encourage repeat visits from locals. By appointing a CMO who specializes in "craveable food" (as seen in her work with Red Robin and Torchy’s), Ford’s Garage is signaling that it does not want to be seen merely as a tourist trap, but as a legitimate culinary destination.

Simultaneously, Ragosa’s task will be to find the "right" franchisees—operators who have the capital and experience to manage complex, high-volume locations that require significant upfront investment in decor and memorabilia.

As Ford’s Garage moves toward 2026, the industry will be watching to see if this "vintage" concept can successfully navigate a modern, tech-driven marketplace. With the combined expertise of Kathleen Bush and David Ragosa, the company appears to have installed the high-performance engine necessary to drive its national ambitions.