Donte Alston takes over as new general manager at 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Coral Springs bringing decades of experience and a people first approach
Coral Springs, Florida – At 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Coral Springs, the aroma of slow-smoked brisket fills the air, but for Donte Alston, the restaurant’s new general manager, it’s the people — not just the barbecue — that make the job special. Alston, 42, officially stepped into the role in August after joining the company in June, and he oversees a team of roughly 40 employees while also managing daily operations and leading community outreach efforts that have become a hallmark of the 4 Rivers brand.
“I love the challenge, the rush, the energy,” Alston said. “I was built for it.” His passion for hospitality and leadership is evident, and he brings more than two decades of experience in the food industry to Coral Springs — 24 years in total, including 22 years in management roles across major restaurant brands in South Florida.
Alston’s path into hospitality began far from the pits of Southern-style barbecue. Originally from Washington, D.C., he moved to Florida on a scholarship to attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, planning to study accounting. But football — and in particular his admiration for Dan Marino — played a bigger role in his college choice than spreadsheets ever did.
“I came here because I loved Dan Marino,” he said with a smile. While attending FAU, Alston took a server job at P.F. Chang’s, which eventually led him to TGI Fridays, where he began training as a manager at age 20. From that point, he never looked back, building leadership experience at Miller’s Ale House in Tampa, Bahama Breeze in Tampa, Pembroke Pines, and Oakland Park. His role at 4 Rivers marks his fifth major stop, but he says it feels distinctly different.
“It was great energy here,” Alston said. “They are faith-based, and I liked the ideals and core values because they align with mine.” The alignment, he added, goes beyond the dining room, connecting to the company’s larger mission. Founded by John Rivers, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is recognized not only for its slow-smoked meats and scratch-made Southern sides but also for its emphasis on community support through what the company calls its “barbecue ministry.”
Through the 4R Foundation, the nonprofit arm of 4 Rivers, the company has served millions of meals to people in need while supporting food recovery and urban agriculture initiatives across Florida. In Coral Springs alone, the restaurant has partnered with over 20 local organizations, including schools, charities, and the Coral Springs Police Department, offering both donations and catering services.
“This is all about taking care of people and the community, which we are a part of,” Alston said. Catering is a significant aspect of the Coral Springs location, regularly serving sporting events, community gatherings, and private celebrations, further embedding the restaurant into local life.
Alston credits his people-first philosophy to his upbringing. Raised by a single mother alongside four siblings, he learned early on the importance of teamwork, resilience, and showing up for others. “I love the team and our culture here,” he said. “We are all from somewhere else, and this food and this place bring us together. We all love what we do.”
For Alston, leading the Coral Springs restaurant represents more than a professional milestone. It is a way to combine his lifelong passion for hospitality, food, and service in a single role. He emphasizes that the energy, diversity, and shared purpose of the restaurant staff are what make the work meaningful.
“It warms my heart to be a part of this,” he said. Alston’s leadership style, which blends operational expertise with genuine care for employees and community, positions 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Coral Springs not only as a destination for exceptional barbecue but also as a hub of local engagement and support.
With Alston at the helm, the Coral Springs location continues to thrive as both a culinary hotspot and a community partner, reflecting a vision where great food and meaningful service go hand in hand. From the hustle of the kitchen to the laughter and teamwork of the staff, the restaurant exemplifies how leadership rooted in people and community can create lasting impact — both on plates and in the neighborhoods it serves.
