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ABOUT OUR AWARD-WINNING

QUARTERDECK RESTAURANTS

“When I first opened the doors of our very first Quarterdeck location back in the ’80s, I knew we were building something special—something that felt uniquely South Florida. Over the years, so many people have shared that they met their spouse here, celebrated a class reunion we sponsored, or just made lasting memories with friends and family.

Fifty years is a long time, and yet it’s amazing to see the next generation carry on the tradition—some of our current high school hires have parents who worked here when they were kids! More than five decades later, we’re still guided by the same old school, neighborhood values that have always been at the heart of our success.”

– Paul Flanigan

JAMES FLANIGAN
PARTNER & CEO
About James Flanigan

James Flanigan

PARTNER & CEO

James has been in the restaurant industry since he was an early teenager, literally and figuratively working from the ground floor up to his current position as CEO. As a child, he shadowed and observed his father, Paul, build the business. He continued through high school, college, and law school and has worked in almost every position.

James graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Accounting and from Florida State University College of Law. During college and law school, James worked in the federal trial court in Philadelphia and the state appellate and trial courts in Tallahassee. James practiced law for almost four years in Fort Lauderdale at Tripp Scott, focusing mainly on commercial litigation, bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings.

Serving as CFO and chief legal officer of Old School Hospitality for several years, James was named CEO in 2022 and is currently responsible for managing all of the company’s operations. He lives in downtown Fort Lauderdale and plans to plant his roots in the area even further. His love for the bar and restaurant business, along with his extensive law and accounting background, make him the perfect candidate to not just run the business, but to grow it to new heights.

James is happily married with three children, a son and twin daughters.

PAUL FLANIGAN
PARTNER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
About Paul Flanigan

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. Paul and Frank teamed up to design, create, and open Dive Bar Restaurant in Jupiter, Florida in 2011 and Dania Beach Quarterdeck in 2012, first Whiskey Neat in 2020 and the second in 2023. A contemporary tiki concept – The Hula Kai, and its rooftop bar, The Ohana Lounge, are set to begin construction fall 2024. Completion expected early spring 2025.

Born in Texas, Paul has been in Florida for most of his life. He attended the University of Florida and then went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a B.B.A. in Accounting, and later graduated from the University of Miami School of law. Prior to entering the restaurant business, Paul also worked as a staff accountant with Price Waterhouse in Tampa and later worked as an attorney with Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius in Miami. Paul is married with five children.

FRANK ZAFFERE
PARTNER & DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC BRAND DEVELOPMENT 
About Frank Zaffere

Frank Zaffere

PARTNER & DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC BRAND DEVELOPMENT 

Frank is a long-time business partner and friend of his fellow Notre Dame alumni, Paul Flanigan. In less than 10 years of employment, Frank became Chief Operating Officer at Quarterdeck restaurants. Under his direction, 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. Frank was the impetus behind the adoption of sushi, first as a limited menu item, and then as a staple menu item. Frank’s restaurant experience includes serving as managing partner of all Quarterdeck locations and Good Spirits.

Frank’s promotion to Director of Strategic Brand Development is a result of his extensive managerial restaurant experiences.

JONATHAN JIMENEZ
EXECUTIVE CHEF
About Jonathan Jimenez

Jonathan Jimenez

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Jonathan was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved at the age of 16 to Miami. Since he was a kid, he always found himself in the kitchen hungry and curious about how food was prepared. His first job in 1999 was at his aunt’s restaurant – a very busy Mexican restaurant in South Beach “El Rancho Grande”. While attending school, he worked there as a dishwasher and that’s where his love and passion for Mexican cuisine began. Jonathan then decided to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he worked in fine dining at Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand Dunes and at Michaels on 79. From there, he moved back to Miami and took a job at Barton G Restaurant in South Beach where he started as a line cook and then got promoted to Sous Chef and then to Executive Sous Chef. After four years, he took an offer as a Executive Sous Chef to work for a well-known area restaurant, “Nikki Beach.”

Jonathan has had the opportunity to travel and open two restaurants, one in Dominican Republic and one in Las Vegas. He has traveled the world, exploring food in the US, Thailand and Mexico. He got the opportunity to open a new Mexican Restaurant call “Lolos Surf Cantina” in South Beach. In 2018, he joined Old School Hospitality team.

ALYSSA TIBBETTS
COO & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
About Alyssa Tibbetts

Alyssa Tibbetts

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Alyssa is veteran of the Florida hospitality industry. Alyssa began as a hostess at the Davie Quarterdeck in 2006. Over the next several years, she progressed through various positions and levels of responsibility, ultimately becoming the General Manager in 2016. In 2017, Alyssa became General Manager of the original Quarterdeck, Project Manager for the new Quarterdeck along with an entirely new concept, Whiskey Neat, which opened in 2019.

In 2021, Alyssa was assigned additional responsibilities including serving as a design consultant for the new Hula Kai Tiki. Early in 2022, Alyssa became Old School Hospitality Operations Manager.

In 2025, Alyssa became Chief Operating Officer responsible for Quarterdeck, Whiskey Neat, Hula Kai and the rooftop Ohana Lounge. Alyssa is also engaged in brand development and strategic planning.

SOPHIE SNYDER
BEVERAGE DIRECTOR, GENERAL MANAGER WHISKEY NEAT
About Sophie Snyder

About Sophie Snyder

BEVERAGE DIRECTOR, GENERAL MANAGER WHISKEY NEAT

Sophie Snyder has been immersed in the hospitality industry since the age of 16, building a career rooted in passion, knowledge, and leadership. After spending a decade in New York’s vibrant bar and restaurant scene, she developed a deep expertise in whiskey, wine, food, and beverage program development.

Four years ago, Sophie took over operations at Whiskey Neat, where she now oversees two locations and continues to expand the brand’s reputation as a destination for exceptional whiskey and hospitality.

In addition to her work with Whiskey Neat, Sophie serves as the Corporate Beverage Director for Quarterdeck, where she leads beverage strategy, menu development, and program innovation across the company.

Sophie is currently helping bring to life Hula Kai, an exciting new tiki-inspired concept that blends tropical creativity with elevated cocktail culture. Known for her strong industry relationships, beverage expertise, and dynamic leadership style, she continues to shape South Florida’s cocktail scene.

MADDIE KULIG
MARKETING AND ART DIRECTOR, BRAND STRATEGIST
About Maddie Kulig

Maddie Kulig

MARKETING + ART DIRECTOR, BRAND STRATEGIST

Maddie’s social media journey began at the very start of the platform era. A lifelong fashion and sewing enthusiast, she first built an online audience through a personal blog where she documented her handmade “me-made” wardrobe. What started as a creative outlet quickly evolved into a deep understanding of digital storytelling, visual branding, and community building online.

Before joining Quarterdeck, Maddie spent more than seven years at Urban Outfitters corporate headquarters, where she held multiple creative and communications roles including Director of Communications, Internal Blogger, Resident Photographer, and In-House Graphic Designer. During her time there, she developed a strong foundation in brand voice, visual merchandising, and multi-platform marketing.

The daughter of Paul Flanigan and sister of James Flanigan, Maddie officially joined the Old School Hospitality team in February 2023. In her role, she oversees the company’s marketing and social media strategy while shaping the visual identity of its brands. Her work includes defining brand aesthetics, creating and executing branded campaigns and photoshoots, and launching and visually positioning new concepts, including the debut of Hula Kai.

Blending creative direction with strategic marketing, Maddie helps ensure that every Old School Hospitality brand tells a cohesive and compelling visual story.

WE HAVE SERVED MORE THAN

1,500,000

DOLPHIN SANDWICHES

1,000,000

FULL RIB DINNERS

At the Quarterdeck, our mission has always been simple: deliver delicious food and drinks at great value, all in a fun, neighborhood atmosphere. What makes us different? Our chefs personally source the freshest, highest quality fish and visit each location weekly to create new menu items, refine favorites, and hold tastings to ensure every dish shines.

Our extensive wine and craft beer selection is curated to pair perfectly with your favorites, and our Beverage Director has crafted cocktails designed to impress. You’ll find that our prices rival those of the most upscale restaurants—without ever leaving your neighborhood. And of course, every Quarterdeck is a casual, welcoming spot, featuring no fewer than 40 TVs and offering gourmet burgers and ribs you can’t find elsewhere in South Florida.

One of the biggest changes at Quarterdeck over the years has been the addition of sushi as a major part of our menu. We embraced sushi more than a decade ago—an unexpected choice for a sports bar—but it quickly became a customer favorite and has remained one ever since. While we take an old school approach to hospitality—focusing on quality service, customer satisfaction, and great value—we’re always paying attention to what our customers are craving. Right now, that includes classic cocktails. In fact, we believe we make one of the best Old Fashioneds in the area, both at Quarterdeck and Whiskey Neat.