Famous Dave’s of America Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE) yesterday announced that it appointed Wallace (Wally) B. Doolin, former president andCEO of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (CRW) and TGI Friday’s (“Friday’s”) and former chairman and chief executive of Buca Inc. to its board of directors.

“We’re delighted to be able to attract an individual of Wally Doolin’s caliber to our board of directors, further expanding the functional and strategic expertise of our board,” says K. Jeffrey Dahlberg, chairman of the board of Famous Dave’s of America.

“Wally adds an amazing breadth of experience and a broad, seasoned perspective to our business.”

Doolin, 63, is the founder and CEO of Black Box Intelligence, a Dallas-based company that provides benchmarking information and analysis for public and private restaurant companies and serves as Executive Chairman and CEO of ESP Systems a hospitality technology company.

Additionally, Doolin serves as a member of the board of directors of Caribou Coffee Company, of Minneapolis, and the leading organization to end childhood hunger, Share Our Strength.

“Famous Dave’s is a great brand and I’m very pleased to join its board of directors,” Doolin says.

“I’ve been a great admirer, and customer, of the brand for many years, and have always been impressed with the passion and level of execution that Famous Dave’s associates bring to the business each day.”

“I can’t think of many individuals with the depth and breadth of operational knowledge and experience that Wally Doolin brings to this position,” Dahlberg says.

“Wally has played a critical role in building some of the nation’s pre-eminent casual dining chains, as well as experience in guiding promising concepts during difficult times. We’re pleased and honored that he has agreed to serve on our board of directors.”