uWink Strengthens Executive Team to Manage Restaurant Growth
John Kaufman Promoted to Chief Restaurant and Development Officer and John Blake Appointed as Director of Restaurant Operations
uWink, Inc. (OTCBB:UWNK), a new restaurant that combines food, drinks and entertainment, today announced the promotion of John Kaufman to Chief Restaurant and Development Officer and the appointment of John Blake as Director of Restaurant Operations. This addition and promotion strengthens uWink's restaurant and executive team, allowing uWink to manage restaurant growth, starting with planned restaurant openings at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center in Los Angeles.
Mr. Kaufman's new responsibilities are to oversee all restaurant development and growth, including the building of the infrastructure that allows for expansion. Mr. Kaufman is also responsible for the continued development and implementation of restaurant and operational systems needed for efficient company store growth and franchise development and support.
Overseeing restaurant operations of uWink, Mr. Blake's responsibilities will include restaurant management and franchisee training, day-to-day restaurant operations, and store P&L. Mr. Blake will report to and work closely with Mr. Kaufman.
'John Kaufman continues to be a tremendous asset to uWink and John Blake is an excellent addition to our restaurant operations team,' said Nolan Bushnell, CEO of uWink. 'The strengthening of our team paves the way for expansion of our concept into a multi-unit chain. We now have the team in place to execute the next phase of our growth strategy.'
Mr. Blake comes to uWink from Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill where he was VP of Operations. Prior to that Mr. Blake spent 17 years at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) where he was Regional Director of Operations covering the Los Angeles, Hawaii and Seattle territories. In his tenure at CPK, Mr. Blake was responsible for opening over 20 CPK locations, ensuring operational success in the areas of exceptional food quality, guest satisfaction and store profitability. Mr. Blake was also responsible for the opening of the first free standing, franchised CPK ASAP, working directly with the franchisee to ensure quality, systems and success.
Mr. Kaufman's new responsibilities are to oversee all restaurant development and growth, including the building of the infrastructure that allows for expansion. Mr. Kaufman is also responsible for the continued development and implementation of restaurant and operational systems needed for efficient company store growth and franchise development and support.
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Overseeing restaurant operations of uWink, Mr. Blake's responsibilities will include restaurant management and franchisee training, day-to-day restaurant operations, and store P&L. Mr. Blake will report to and work closely with Mr. Kaufman.
'John Kaufman continues to be a tremendous asset to uWink and John Blake is an excellent addition to our restaurant operations team,' said Nolan Bushnell, CEO of uWink. 'The strengthening of our team paves the way for expansion of our concept into a multi-unit chain. We now have the team in place to execute the next phase of our growth strategy.'
Mr. Blake comes to uWink from Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill where he was VP of Operations. Prior to that Mr. Blake spent 17 years at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) where he was Regional Director of Operations covering the Los Angeles, Hawaii and Seattle territories. In his tenure at CPK, Mr. Blake was responsible for opening over 20 CPK locations, ensuring operational success in the areas of exceptional food quality, guest satisfaction and store profitability. Mr. Blake was also responsible for the opening of the first free standing, franchised CPK ASAP, working directly with the franchisee to ensure quality, systems and success.