Cheesecake Factory executive Russ Bendel, who once led Mimi’s Cafe, is leaving the struggling casual dining sector to head a quick eats California burger chain.
Bendel resigned last week as chief operating officer of Cheesecake Factory. He was at the chain for less than a year. This week, he said he’s setting his sights on the popular fast-casual dining industry.
Bendel was named president and chief executive officer of The Habit Burger Grill, a quick casual joint based in Santa Barbara.
Bendel is charged with expanding the 30-unit chain to more than 120 eateries over the next five years. The Habit started as a lone burger stand in the seaside community of Goleta, Ca., north of Santa Barbara. It is known for serving lean 100% beef charbroiled burgers — known as “charburgers” on the menu.
The chain plans to open units in California, Arizona and Nevada. It’s unclear if the Habit will come to Orange County. It has eight locations in Los Angeles County, including Torrance, Glendale and Sherman Oaks.
In a written statement, Bendel said he his happy to be part of a unique burger brand.
“It is well positioned in the premium, quick casual niche and its commitment to quality is exceptional,” said Bendel. “I am very excited to be a part of the growth of this world class brand.”
Prior to joining Cheesecake Factory last year, Bendel served as president of Tustin-based Mimi’s Cafe. Like other casual dining chains, both Mimi’s and Cheesecake have struggled as diners continue to trade down to fast-casual eats to save money.
To read some yelp.com reviews on the Habit, go here.
Related links:
- Economy worsening for restaurant sector
- Consumers turn to pizza on weekends, not casual dining, to save money
- Chuck E. Cheese tweaks ingredients to cut costs
- Quiznos founder bringing Smashburger to Orange County
Zzzzzzz…
ANOTHER ‘fast-casual’ burger joint? Just what we need.
You said diners continue to ‘trade down’ to fast-casual to save money. It might save you money but it’s hardly trading down. Is there really that big of a difference between say a Mimi’s Cafe sandwich and Panera’s? Other than price, not really. ‘Casual dining’ restaurants really shot themselves in the foot. They’re sort of like middle-managers, completely unnecessary.
I’ve ate at The Habit before. It’s fairly tasty. The shakes are particularly good. The pricing? Not so good.
However, the last time I ate at The Habit, I came down with food poisioning later that day. I can’t blame it on the The Habit for sure, but I’ll be hard pressed to eat there again. The new, slimmer no_ doesn’t consume milkshakes any more so I guess it’s a moot point.
Thanks No_ for the interesting feedback. What did you think of the “charburgers” had you not got ill?
Also, how much was too much???
If I had to guess, I’d suspect I got into something in the fresh condiment bar. Food poisioning is one of those things your never 100% about. I was traveling through Ventura and I could of got something bad in LA or somewhere north of there. The next day I was in bad shape.
I think I was out $11 for a burger, fries, and a shake. This was two years ago.