Staffing

California Pizza Kitchen adds 4 restaurant, finance leaders to board

Photo: iStock

January 13, 2021

Following the completion of financial restructuring and emergence from Chapter 11, California Pizza Kitchen has named four board members, including:

• Robert Webster — co-founder and senior managing director of Twin Haven Capital Partners, who has served on or chaired 16 corporate boards, including those in both the casual and family dining restaurant sectors.
• Jeff D. Warne — principal at Coesus Capital, LLC, who is the former president and CEO of Perkins, Marie Callender's LLC, and O'Charley's Inc., as well as COO at TGI Friday's International, CFO for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and president of Pick Up Stix.
• Michael P. O'Donnell — executive chairman of Ruth's Hospitality Group, parent company of Ruth's Chris Steak House, where he was CEO and chair for 12 years. He has also served on the boards of Hickory Tavern, Logan's Roadhouse, Cosi, Sbarro, The Ground Round and Champps entertainment.
• Daniel M. Kokini — managing director at FTI Consulting. With previous roles in investment banking at BofA Merrill Lynch and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and a corporate finance role at Broadview Networks.

The four men join CPK CEO Jim Hyatt, who has been a board member for three years, a news release said.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Robert, Jeff, Michael and Daniel to the board as we continue to build on our business momentum following our successful restructuring in November," Hyatt said in the release. "Their combined knowledge and expertise in the food and hospitality business, corporate finance and investment strategy strengthen CPK and will help us accelerate our growth plans in the U.S. and abroad. It's an exciting time for CPK."

CPK — based in Redondo Beach, California — has more than 200 restaurants globally.