Ex-Blockbuster coo to head restaurant chain

LAKE FOREST, Calif. Former Blockbuster executive, Nicholas Shepherd has been named chairman, ceo and president of Sagittarius Brands, parent company of the Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen and Del Taco restaurant chains, effective March 1, the company reported.

Shepherd was with Blockbuster for the past 12 years, most recently serving as coo. He began there in 1995 as vp and managing director of the United Kingdom market and advanced to senior vp, international; president North America; evp, chief marketing and merchandising officer and president worldwide stores.

“Nick’s demonstrated ability to effectively develop, grow and operate a broad variety of retail and restaurant businesses, including company-owned, franchised and joint-venture models, makes him uniquely qualified to lead our company,” said Sid Feltenstein, interim ceo and chairman of Sagittarius Brands. “Strategic and results-oriented, he is a versatile executive with an extraordinary passion for customer service, brand building and execution. We are thrilled to welcome Nick to Sagittarius Brands.”