Famous Dave's CEO suite got another sudden shake-up Monday, just 16 months after the last one.
The restaurant company's chief executive officer, John Gilbert — who has led Famous Dave's since October 2012 — resigned abruptly and will be succeeded on an interim basis by a recently appointed board member.
Ed Rensi, a former McDonald's executive who later founded the Tom & Eddie's restaurant chain and joined the Famous Dave's board last month, will take over immediately, the company said.
Gilbert, too, was a Famous Dave's board member when he became CEO. He formerly was CEO of e-commerce retailer Vermont Teddy Bear Co., and was known for his marketing acumen.
"It was a surprise to us he resigned," said Dean Riesen, Famous Dave's chairman. "We saw him as a long-term CEO for the next five years plus."
Dick Perkins, whose Wayzata-based Perkins Capital Management owns about 1 percent of Famous Dave's stock, said he, too, was surprised.
Gilbert could not be reached for comment.
He replaced Christopher O'Donnell as CEO in an unusual executive suite shuffle. O'Donnell, who had been Famous Dave's CEO since 2008, has remained with the Minnetonka-based company, serving as its chief operating officer.