Staff report 

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — LongHorn Steakhouse has announced the promotion of Florian Froede to managing partner of the restaurant’s Thomasville location. A restaurant industry veteran of 12 years, Froede started his career with Red Lobster, also owned by Darden Restaurants, as a server.  He most recently held the position of manager at the Thomasville LongHorn before being promoted. In his new role, he oversees all aspects of the restaurant’s operations, including managing a team of approximately 53 team members.

This promotion is the result of Froede’s ability to lead by example as he motivates his team to make every guest a loyal guest. He is also passionate about hiring great people and helping his team members grow within the company, which has led the Thomasville restaurant team to win the Diamond Club Award — the company’s highest honor for restaurant teams. Throughout his career with LongHorn, Froede has helped train and develop more than 50 team members – five of which are now in management positions.

 “Flo has believed in the LongHorn way since his first day with the company,” said Sheryl Thomson, Director of Operations for LongHorn Steakhouse. “He leads his team with dignity and respect, which is a driving force behind his leadership skills, as he often makes decisions based on putting himself in others’ shoes – whether it be a team member or guest.”

 Born in Germany, Froede was an exchange student in Valdosta for a short six months when he was 16 years old. The community and its surroundings had such an impact on him that he knew he wanted to return to the area.  He attended college there, and married a Thomasville resident.

 “I am truly excited to lead the LongHorn team here in Thomasville and look forward to serving the community for many years to come,” said Froede. “Our team genuinely cares about each other, and that care is extended to our guests and even to our community.”

 Froede’s restaurant team often partners with the local Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Georgia and this year, the team donated $1,000 to them through Darden’s Restaurant Community Grants program. The restaurant also donates fresh, wholesome food to the Second Harvest of South Georgia through Darden Restaurants’ Harvest program every week.

 LongHorn Steakhouse in Thomasville is located at 21 Constitution Ave.