Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc. Announces the Hiring of a New Chief
Operating Officer
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Mar 25, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chicago Pizza &
Brewery, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHGO) (Nasdaq:CHGOW) announced that Michael Nakhunst has
joined the Company as its chief operating officer. Nakhunst brings over 30
years' experience in the restaurant industry to Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc.
The vast majority of his experience was with Chili's restaurants. Nakhunst was
part of the management team that operated the first Chili's restaurant in 1977,
and he remained part of that organization until 1994, at which time he was
senior vice president of the Chili's division of Brinker International, with
operational responsibility for over 150 stores. Nakhunst also served as the
chief operating officer of Cheesecake Factory, Inc. from 1997 to 1999.
"We are very pleased to have someone of Mike's experience and qualifications in
our organization," commented co-CEO Paul Motenko. "He has demonstrated a pattern
of accomplishment in his career that should serve our company well as we
implement our accelerated growth strategy. Just as important, Mike's approach to
the restaurant business and his philosophies and values are consistent with the
values upon which our company are based."
Jerry Hennessy, co-CEO, added, "With the recent addition of Doug Mitchell as CFO
and now Mike Nakhunst as COO, we believe we have secured the resources necessary
to successfully position the company for substantial growth."
Nakhunst remarked, "I am very excited to be part of the team helping to build
BJ's into a national restaurant brand. I am proud to be involved with this great
concept, and with a company that displays a unique balance of fiscal
responsibility and compassionate values."
Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc. operates 26 casual dining restaurants, some of
which incorporate microbreweries. Sixteen of the BJ's restaurants are located in
Southern California, one in Boulder, Colo., four in Oregon and one in Chandler,
Ariz. In addition, the Company operates four Pietro's restaurants in Oregon and
has a BJ's licensing agreement with a restaurant in Lahaina, Maui. The company
has four BJ's units currently under development: in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and
Cupertino, Calif. and in Lewisville, Texas. BJ's restaurants offer customers
moderate prices and tremendous value on an incredible menu that includes
deep-dish Chicago-style pizza as well as sandwiches, salads, fabulous desserts,
critically acclaimed hand-crafted beers and more. Visit Chicago Pizza & Brewery,
Inc. on the web at bjsbrewhouse.com. |
