Habit Burger CMO Matt Hood steps downHabit Burger CMO Matt Hood steps down

Matt Hood, chief marketing officer at The Habit Restaurants Inc., has stepped down, the Irvine, Calif.-based company said Thursday.

Matt Hood

Photo: The Habit Restaurants Inc.

Hood, who was formerly CMO at BJ’s Restaurants Inc., is leaving to “pursue another opportunity,” the fast-casual burger chain said in a statement. His last day is April 3, according to a regulatory filing. Habit Restaurants, which operates more than 215 The Habit Burger Grill locations in 11 states, said it has launched a search for Hood’s replacement.

“I’d like to express my deep appreciation to Matt for his hard work and numerous contributions to our organization,” Habit Restaurants president and CEO Russ Bendel said in a statement. “In the more than three and a half years that he has been with The Habit, Matt has shown tremendous dedication, loyalty and passion for our brand, our customers and our team members, and we wish him the best in his new endeavors.”

In a statement, Hood did not reveal more details about his exit.  

“I am grateful for the tremendous opportunities The Habit has provided me, as well as the strong relationships I’ve established during my time here,” he said. “I am proud of our accomplishments and look forward to watching the company’s future growth and wish all of my colleagues continued success.”

Hood’s departure comes as The Habit Burger Grill plans to test breakfast at a handful of drive-thru locations. Earlier this month, Bendel said the company wants to expand a breakfast menu that is currently served at California public universities and airport locations.  

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 26, 2017, Habit Restaurants reported a loss of $6.2 million, compared with net income of $1.3 million the previous year. The loss was tied to special tax bill charges.

The first Habit Burger Grill opened in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969. 

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