Doc Ford’s Ryan Cook promoted to leadership director for HM Restaurant Group

HM Restaurant Group, which manages Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company, has promoted Ryan Cook to the newly established position of leadership director. Cook, the former general manager of Doc Ford’s Fort Myers Beach location, has been with the restaurant group for 17 years and now oversees management teams at HM’s six establishments in his new role.

 “Ryan has earned the respect of our teams by leading from experience, consistency and a deep understanding of our restaurants,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group. “This new role gives him the opportunity to share that experience across our locations and help our management teams continue building on the standards that define an HM restaurant.”

As leadership director, Cook will collaborate with the restaurants’ general managers and their management teams to continue to develop and elevate employees and their skills at Doc Ford’s four Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg restaurants and Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company, both on Fort Myers Beach.

A Gulfshore Business 2026 Best Place to Work for a second consecutive year, HM Restaurant Group was recognized for its family-oriented, people-first philosophy, commitment to 580 employees and dedication to revitalizing Fisherman’s Wharf on Fort Myers Beach into a premier waterside dining and entertainment venue. The company also owns and operates Bayside Private Events and The Marina at Bonita Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach.

Philanthropy and community outreach have long been hallmarks of HM Restaurant Group. The company is deeply committed to the well-being and vitality of the Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg regions, and has made significant contributions through fundraising efforts, financial donations and community engagements Employees regularly volunteer for beach cleanups, school supplies and food drives and other community initiatives, reinforcing their connection to the places where they live and work.

Through Doc Ford’s Hospital Drink program, which donates $1 from each sale of select drinks, HM Restaurant Group has raised over $140,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The company also supports Captains For Clean Water’s initiatives to improve the health of the Florida Everglades and Florida Bay through the Send it South cocktail, raising $11,000. The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has raised over $2 million for Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2012. The 15th annual tournament is May 14, 2027.

Founded in 1997, HM Restaurant Group offers the popular Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, known for vibrant coastal dining experiences reflecting Florida’s heritage. With locations on Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Pier, the award-winning restaurants are a beloved staple for both locals and visitors and perennial winners of Tripadvisor’s top Travelers’ Choice accolades. The St. Petersburg Pier location was named the county’s No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.

HM Restaurant Group also owns Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company. The restaurants pay homage to old Florida fish houses with a coastal culinary flair. Dixie Fish Company is a 2023 Yelp Top 100 Florida Restaurant and Tripadvisor’s ranked No. 1 in the Fort Myers area. Its buttermilk-battered fried whole fish, served the “Dixie way” with garlic butter sauce, was featured on The Food Network.

Bonita Fish Company, the newest addition to HM Restaurant Group’s portfolio, opened last fall. The restaurant features fresh Gulf seafood, daily live entertainment and dockside dining along Matanzas Pass. It’s also home to Bayside Private Events, an indoor-outdoor waterfront event venue, and The Marina at Bonita Fish Company, a 30-slip deep-water facility offering direct Gulf access, long- and short-term slip rentals and space for restaurant guests arriving by boat.

Doc Ford’s, Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are renowned for delivering legendary guest experiences.