Heiko Westermann, the new Managing Partner at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Bear is no stranger to the dining world in northern Delaware
The Columbus, Ohio, native, who lives in the Glasgow area, has more than 20 years of restaurant experience, much of it with the Don Pablo’s at its location near Christiana Mall.
While the Christiana location remains open, the once high-flying Don Pablo’s is down to fewer than a dozen locations after a couple of bankruptcy filings.
After taking some time off and taking on management duties at the Bahama Breeze and at a small local chain, he took the top post at the steakhouse holding of Darden restaurant group that also owns the island-themed Bahama Breeze and Olive Garden.
Darden also owns the high-end Capital Grill steakhouse chain.
Meanwhile, the former managing partner of the Bear location headed to a restaurant closer to his home in suburban Philadelphia.
While a newcomer to the Bear Longhorn, Westermann says he is greeted from time to time by a customer who remembers him from one of his former restaurants.
The veteran manager says the 13-year-old Longhorn location in the Governor’s Square Shopping Center area off Route 40, did not represent a turnaround situation.
Much of the staff are long-time employees and the same could be said for customers. “They have each other’s back,” Westermann says of the veteran staff.
Meanwhile, Longhorn is seeing a growth spurt in Delaware and the Delaware Valley The chain opened a location in Dover and another in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Chain ownership has its advantages, Westermann says. Employees at other locations can pitch in when staff shortages develop due to vacations or other reasons.
Still, the industry remains highly competitive, Westermann noted.
The focus has shifted away from coupons to value and creating loyalty that brings repeat business, he said, adding that a stronger economy is helping the industry.
Longhorn will continue to be involved in the community, according to Westermann. That includes food donations to a food rescue program.
No major changes are planned. That includes the restaurant’s Western décor.
Minor remodeling was done to make carryout pickups more convenient. Westermann said the trend toward customers carrying out orders, even at steakhouses, has not abated.
