Dave Shula Returned to Shula's Restaurant Group
The former NFL coach has resumed his leadership role as the company prepares for a new phase of expansion.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Dining Out
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Dave Shula has returned as the president of Shula's Restaurant Group, marking a homecoming to the company founded by his father, Don Shula, in 1989. The move comes as the hospitality firm prepares for an upcoming phase of growth across its national operations.
Why it matters
His return to the president role aims to provide steady leadership as the restaurant group looks to scale its operations into new markets. The company is positioning itself for long-term growth following the recent transition of its leadership team.
Shula's Restaurant Group currently manages six distinct dining concepts across 30 locations. The company has announced plans to broaden its footprint, with a new site slated for Thomasville, Georgia, in 2027.
The players
Dave Shula
He is the newly returned president of Shula's Restaurant Group and a former professional and collegiate football coach.
Don Shula
He was the legendary Miami Dolphins head coach who led the team to an undefeated season in 1972 and later founded the restaurant group in 1989.
Shula's Restaurant Group
This hospitality organization operates and franchises six different restaurant concepts across 30 locations in the United States.
The details
Dave Shula brings extensive leadership experience to the role, having previously served as president and national ambassador for the group for two decades. Before his return to the hospitality sector, he held coaching positions at Dartmouth from 2018 until 2023 and served as the Cincinnati Bengals head coach during the 1990s.
Timeline
Don Shula founded the restaurant group in 1989.
Dave Shula served as Cincinnati Bengals head coach from 1992 to 1996.
Dave Shula coached at Dartmouth from 2018 to 2023.
Shula's American Kitchen is scheduled to open in Palm Beach Gardens in Winter 2026.
Culture Shift
The brand maintains its identity through the enduring legacy of the 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated season, which established the professional reputation of its founder, Don Shula. This historical anchor continues to differentiate the restaurant group within the competitive national dining market.
Patrons in Palm Beach Gardens can expect the opening of a new Shula's American Kitchen at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel this winter. Those in other regions may see expanded brand availability as the group moves toward its planned 2027 expansion in Thomasville, Georgia.
The takeaway
The return of long-time leadership to a family-founded business often signals a strategic pivot toward established core values during periods of expansion. Consumers can look for brand consistency as the group leverages its historical sports-themed heritage to enter new regional markets.
Further reading
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Do you trust that family-run companies prioritize their original quality standards during expansion?
