News

CPK names new CEO

August 17, 2011

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. today announced that G.J. Hart is its president, CEO and executive chairman. He will succeed Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK's co-founders. CPK was acquired by Golden Gate Capital on July 7.

Hart, 53, was the CEO of Texas Roadhouse, a publicly traded casual dining company that owns, operates and franchises more than 350 restaurants across the country. During his 10 years at Texas Roadhouse, he led the company through an unprecedented period of growth, increasing revenues from $63 million to more than $1 billion

Josh Olshansky, a managing director with Golden Gate Capital, said Hart is widely recognized as one of the industry's most successful executives.

"He is a creative and team-oriented leader with excellent management skills and a superb track record of delivering outstanding results and growth," he said.

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