LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Grill Concepts, Inc. (Nasdaq:GRIL) today announced the appointment of Wayne Lipschitz to serve as vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding Philip Gay who has been named chief executive officer.
Lipschitz, 41, previously served as chief financial officer of International Coffee & Tea, the Los Angeles-based operator of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf retail stores, and was corporate controller of The Cheesecake Factory, Inc., where he implemented several software initiatives and enhanced efficiencies in the finance department. Lipschitz began his restaurant experience as controller for the Wolfgang Puck Food Company, the frozen food and casual dining segment of the Wolfgang Puck restaurants. Most recently, the Certified Public Accountant oversaw the financial and economic development areas for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which included the casino and water bottling plant, as well as sitting on the board of the Tribe's Twin Palms restaurant in Pasadena, CA.
"We are thrilled to have Wayne on board and welcome the expertise he brings to the position," Gay said. "His deep knowledge of finance and experience with quality, high-profile multi-unit operations, combined with an understanding of what it takes to provide quality service to customers and support to operations is truly an asset for our company."
Lipschitz received his bachelor of science degree in accounting from California State University, Northridge.
About Grill Concepts, Inc.
Grill Concepts owns and manages upscale casual and fine dining, full service restaurants under two core brand names: The Grill on the Alley and Daily Grill. The company operates 24 restaurants including four The Grill on the Alley-branded restaurants in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, San Jose, California, and Chicago, as well as 20 Daily Grill restaurants in Southern and Northern California, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, Houston, Texas, Portland, Oregon and Skokie, Illinois.