Russ Bendel takes seat as chairman of CRA board
(SACRAMENTO, Oct. 7, 2009) – The California Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the induction of Russ Bendel as CRA Chairman of the Board, succeeding Past Chairman Steven Fricker.
“Bendel’s leadership is paramount to our efforts in weathering what remains to be very trying times for the industry,” said Jot Condie, CRA president and CEO. “We’re relying on involvement from our members and board of directors more than ever before.”
Bendel is chief executive officer of The Habit Burger Grill, based in Irvine. Before joining The Habit, Bendel held top positions at several exceptional restaurant companies, including The Cheesecake Factory Inc., Mimi’s Café, Roy’s Restaurants, El Torito Restaurants and Panda Express. From 1995 to 1999, Bendel was a partner in the Outback Steakhouse franchise group in California.
A longtime active leader within the CRA, Bendel also holds a trustee position for its Educational Foundation. He also serves in board positions for the Culinary School for the Art Institute of Los Angeles, Orange County and the Collins School of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University.
“As the largest private-sector employer in the state, we will become a very loud voice protecting and promoting our industry,” Bendel said. “And we will become a larger contributor in the effort to turn tide of the dismal state employment numbers – a top indicator of restaurants’ vitality. At the end of the day, we have to focus on growing our membership to ensure our voice is heard.”
Bendel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration from Florida International University in Miami. In 2003, Bendel received the distinct honor of Operator of the Year at the Nation’s Restaurant News Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conferencein Atlanta. Bendel also was recognized as the 2004 Restaurateur of the Year in Orange County, and was given the Creative Partnership Award in 2005 from the University of California Los Angeles.