Philadelphia, PA
- The P.J.W. Restaurant Group is thrilled to announce that Jim Fris, Chief Operating Officer, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA). This is the association’s highest elected office.
Fris brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry to this position. Under his tenure at P.J.W., the restaurant group has opened 15 new restaurants, created over 1,200 new jobs, increased revenues, and created synergies with local sports teams and Philly institutions such as the Wells Fargo Center and Temple University.
Jim FrisAs Chairman of PRLA, Fris will ensure the Board of Directors fulfills all governance obligations, including maintaining the organization’s financial stability, setting policies and programs that will further the goals and objectives of the association, and acting as a spokesperson for the association.
“I’m incredibly honored to take on this new position with the PRLA,” said Fris. “My experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry has given me a clear perspective on the challenges restaurateurs and those involved in the hospitality industry face in Pennsylvania. I’ve worked closely with the association for many years and am excited to see what we can accomplish in 2019.”
Fris taking the reins as the Chairman is the culmination of the PRLA’s multi-year succession plan. He entered the process in 2017 as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors, ascended to Vice Chairman in 2018, and now takes over as Chairman for 2019. He, along with the other new PRLA officers, will be ceremonially installed at the PRLA Annual Awards Gala on Monday, October 22, 2018, at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.
