Bluestone Lane’s Rice Village outlet in Houston, Texas | Photo credit: Bluestone Lane

New York-based Bluestone Lane has announced seasoned restaurant expert Edie Ames will join the company at the end of October 2024 as its new CEO, with Founder and current CEO Nick Stone stepping into an Executive Chairman role. 
 

Stone launched Bluestone Lane in 2013 and has scaled the Australian-inspired boutique café group to 65 outlets across eight US states. 

In a press release, Stone hailed Ames’ expertise as Bluestone Lane seeks to ‘accelerate growth and improvement’.  

“It has been an immense joy to witness the growth and accomplishments of our brand, working alongside a dedicated and inspiring team, and seeing them thrive within our culture. Attracting someone of Edie’s calibre, expertise and success, is validation of what we have built and is a major milestone for Bluestone Lane,” he said.  

Listen: Executing a clear value proposition – A conversation with Nick Stone 

Ames will join Bluestone Lane from California-based airport restaurant group Tastes on the Fly, where she has served as CEO since November 2020. She departs the company having overseen its sale to North American travel concession group Paradies Lagardère in July 2024. 

“I am incredibly honored to join Bluestone Lane, a brand that has not only pioneered a new standard in café culture but has also built an enduring connection with its locals. I’m excited to work alongside the exceptional team to continue elevating the locals’ experience while driving the brand forward in this next chapter of growth,” Ames said.   
 

Ames’ other senior hospitality leadership roles include President of Morton’s Steakhouse, President & Chief Operating Officer of burger restaurant chain The Counter and CEO of Los Angeles-based The Pie Hole.