Michael serves as Chief Financial Officer for Artistry Restaurants.
Michael Rubke is a senior finance and operations executive with 27 years of experience leading transformation and growth across prominent restaurant and hospitality brands. Recognized for his disciplined approach to financial management and people-first leadership, he excels at optimizing performance, strengthening infrastructure, and developing high-performing teams that deliver measurable results.
Mr. Rubke has served in senior executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, across respected brands such as Stonefire Grill, Bottega Louie, The Edison Downtown, Saddle Ranch Chop House, and Mastro’s Restaurants. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with private equity sponsors and investors, leading organizations through acquisitions, equity raises, refinances, and restructurings while delivering sustainable operational and financial outcomes. At Stonefire Grill, he guided the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, raising over $10 million in federal funding, negotiating significant rent abatements, improved EBITDA flow-through by 22%, and implemented long-lasting operational improvements that strengthened efficiency and performance.. Earlier, at Mastro’s Restaurants, he partnered with private equity sponsors and senior leadership to drive consecutive years of double-digit sales and EBITDA growth, culminating in the successful sale of the company to Landry’s, Inc. in 2013.
Prior to his tenure in the restaurant sector, Mr. Rubke held financial leadership roles with Pure Beauty, a private equity–backed retail and salon brand that grew from 35 to 69 units during his tenure, and Tom Ford Menswear, where he developed early-stage financial models, accounting systems, and growth frameworks for the startup of the brand. These foundational experiences shaped his analytical rigor and his strategic approach to scaling emerging businesses.
Known for his calm, focused leadership and deep commitment to mentorship, Mr. Rubke is passionate about cultivating talent, improving processes, and creating cultures of accountability and excellence. Outside of his professional career, Mr. Rubke is a seven-time U.S. adult masters national figure skating champion and currently holds the record as the most decorated adult singles national champion with U.S. Figure Skating.
