BJ’s Restaurants Names New CMO

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. has named Matt Hood as chief marketing officer, a new position.

In his new role, Hood will be in charge of the company’s marketing, merchandising, culinary R&D, beverage R&D and concept branding activities. He had been working as a part-time marketing consultant at BJ’s Restaurants since 2007.

Hood has worked as a marketing and strategy consultant to the restaurant industry since 2006 and as the national restaurant brand consultant for Google, Inc. Prior to that, he held various positions at Fired Up, Inc., the owner and operator of the Carino’s Italian Grill casual dining concept. Most recently, he was senior vice president of marketing and brand development there.

Earlier in his career, Hood worked as a marketing manager for Brinker International, the owner and operator of the Chili’s Grill and Bar and other casual dining chains.

The company operates 73 casual dining restaurants under the BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and BJ's Pizza & Grill brand names.