Yard House exec Harald Herrmann inducted as chairman of the CRA board

The California Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to announce the induction of Harald Herrmann as the CRA Chairman of the Board, succeeding Past Chairman Tom Ferdinandi.

“For years, Harald’s vision and perseverance has been an inspiration to the leaders of our industry,” CRA President + CEO Jot Condie said. “As we continue working to climb out of the economic doldrums of the past several years, I believe Harald’s energy, expertise and leadership will guide our membership well.”

Now president and chief executive officer of Irvine-based Yard House Restaurants, Herrmann launched his career as a high school student, working as a dishwasher at a local Marie Callendar’s. He went on to work in management for El Torito, Hilton and West Coast Restaurant Ventures.

In 1996, Herrmann worked with Steele Platt to launch the first Yard House Restaurant, which quickly emerged as one of Los Angeles County’s most successful independent restaurants. The company now has 32 locations nationwide, with plans to open eight more within the next year.

“No other industry provides the same breadth of opportunities for personal growth and success, while upholding a deep, innate sense of responsibility to the communities in which we operate,” Herrmann said. “The CRA nurtures this obligation, while providing invaluable practical business resources and solutions, and political representation to ensure the industry’s voice is heard.”

Herrmann’s philanthropic contributions have especially become renowned within the industry, as he champions several causes both professionally and personally, including the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Athletes & Entertainers 9-1-1 For Kids and Share our Selves. He serves on the board of directors for Canyon Acres, which provides homes, care, treatment and supportive services for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children and their families, as well as and Kids Konnected, which supports children and families dealing with cancer and loss.

In 2009, Herrmann co-founded Round it up America with colleague Jennifer Weerheim. The program allows restaurant customers to give back to their communities by simply rounding up their checks to the nearest dollar with the remaining change going to local charities. To date, Yard House guests have raised more than $400,000 for their communities, as well as Operation Homefront and the educational foundations of the National Restaurant Association and the California Restaurant Association. In June, Herrmann and Weerheim traveled to Joplin, Mos., to donate $30,000 toward tornado disaster relief on behalf of Round It Up America.

A longtime active leader within the CRA, Herrmann was honored with the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award in June. A native of South Africa, Herrmann was raised in Orange County, where he resides today with his wife Courtney and their five children.