G.J. Hart is the CEO at Torchy’s Tacos, a craft-casual restaurant concept with more than 70 locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas and Louisiana. A highly respected industry leader with 36 years of foodservice operations and management experience, G.J. has a proven track record of growing casual and fast-casual dining concepts. Prior to joining Torchy’s, he served as Executive Chairman and CEO of Los Angeles-based California Pizza Kitchen, the pioneer of creative dining with a California vibe. Prior to CPK, he served as President and CEO of Louisville-based Texas Roadhouse where he expanded the brand to more than 450 restaurants in 49 states and two international markets.
He is on the National Board of Directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and serves advisory board memberships with the following organizations: Advisory Board at James Madison University Business School, Portillo’s, Red Robin, and University of Louisville’s College of Business and Public Administration. He has been an active member of Habitat for Humanity, Volunteers of America, the Special Olympics, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America and was the Founder of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation.
G.J. is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and was named a Top CEO for investor relations by IR Magazine. He has been recognized for his entrepreneurial vision and leadership while leading California Pizza Kitchen’s Next Chapter as a finalist of EY’s prestigious 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Los Angeles and as the recipient of one of the industry’s highest honors, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association’s 2017 Silver Plate Award in the Chain Full Service category.