2022 Conference Keynote Speaker

G.J. Hart is a highly respected industry leader with 36 years of foodservice operations and management experience, Hart has a proven track record of growing casual dining concepts. He was the CEO at Torchy’s Tacos, a fast-casual restaurant concept that serves innovative, inspired tacos in a unique dining environment before his retirement. Prior to joining Torchy’s, he served as executive chairman and CEO of 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 restaurants where he expanded the brand to more than 450 restaurants in 49 states and two international markets.

In 2012, Hart was the first to be named into the James Madison University Hospitality School Hall of Fame. In 2015, he and his wife Heather Hart jointly announced a $3 million gift commitment to JMU resulting in the newly renamed Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management. The intention of this gift is to help young people to be successful in work that emphasizes the importance of serving the public through a career in hospitality.

G.J. Hart is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the World Presidents’ Organization and was named a Top CEO for investor relations by IR Magazine. Hart has been recognized for his entrepreneurial vision and leadership of 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.