our team

James Flanigan

PARTNER & CEO

James has worked in the restaurant industry since he was an early teenager, shadowing his father, Paul, and helping out with odds and ends around the Quarterdeck and other local bars and restaurants. He has worked from the proverbial ground floor up and has worked – or at least moonlighted – in every position in the front and back of the house. James’ career with Quarterdeck and in the industry continued through high school, college, and even law school.

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Paul Flanigan

PARTNER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The patriarch of the Old School family, Paul purchased Quarterdeck from Flanigan’s Enterprises, Inc. in 1986, and he partnered with Flanigan’s for close to a decade, opening and managing a number of Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill franchise and company units. He opened a second Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Neighborhood Grill on Fort Lauderdale Beach in 1995 and then he soon partnered with Frank Zaffere to open six additional Quarterdecks in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties from 1997 through 2004. 

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Frank Zaffere

PARTNER & COO

Frank is a long-time business partner and friend of his fellow Notre Dame alumni, Paul Flanigan. His introduction to the restaurant industry began in 1992 when, within five days of his arrival in South Florida, he was employed as a busboy at the first Quarterdeck. Less than 10 years later, he was named Director of Operations. Under his direction, the Quarterdeck doubled units and sales, and established partnership relationships with three major sports franchises in South Florida: the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers and Florida Marlins.

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Sophie Synder

DIRECTOR

Sophie began her hospitality career in South Florida, but ‘cut her teeth’ in the Big Apple, New York City for 15 years where she developed a passion for spirits, food and wine. She was recruited back to South Florida to serve as Corporate Beverage Director for Old School Hospitality Group where she directs operations and manages strategic collaborative partnerships. She has been a design consultant for the Hula Kai Tiki Bar and Restaurant concept.

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