UCLA Extension partners with CRA to present Restaurant Industry Conference

(SACRAMENTO, March 8, 2010) – Restaurant operators from across the United States will gather for the 14th annual University of California, Los Angeles Extension Restaurant Industry Conference March 18 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at the Los Angeles International Airport.

The conference, titled “Who’s Winning and Why: Actionable Lessons from Today’s Industry Leaders,” will feature Steve Carley, president and chief executive officer of El Pollo Loco Inc. as a keynote speaker, along with Tim J. Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment presenters. 

The event also will include two panels offering insights into winning strategies by top executives who pulled ahead of the pack in 2009. Speakers will include Russ Bendel, CEO of the Habit Burger Grill and chairman of the CRA Board of Directors; Harald Herrmann, president and CEO of Yard House Restaurants and second vice chair of the CRA Board of Directors; Susan Feniger, co-owner and operator of Border Grill Restaurants and Ciudad Restaurant; William H. Tilley, chairman of the Jacmar Cos.; T.K Pillan, co-founder of the Veggie Grill; Chris Simms, CEO of Lazy Dog Café; John M. Parlet, owner and founder of John’s Incredible Pizza Co.; Craig Albert, co-CEO of the Counter; and Phillip Chang, founder, president and CEO of Yogurtland.

The conference will culminate with the presentation of the 2010 Innovation Award to Kerry Kramp, president and CEO of Sizzler USA Inc.

Tickets to the conference are still available and CRA members receive the discounted rate of $395. To register, go online www.regonline.com/restaurant2010. For more information, call 310.206.1409.

About the California Restaurant Association: The California Restaurant Association is the definitive voice of the California restaurant and hospitality industry and has served to protect and promote its success since 1906. The restaurant industry is one of the largest private employers in California, representing more than 1.4 million jobs. Restaurants produce more than $58 billion in sales annually and generate more than $4.5 billion in sales tax for the state.

About UCLA Extension: UCLA Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA Extension offers evening, weekend, and online courses and certificates for professionals in business, management, engineering, information systems, entertainment studies, public policy, public health, the humanities and many other fields. Find out more at www.uclaextension.edu.