• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

P.F. Chang’s has appointed Jim Mazany as its new CEO. He succeeds Brad Hill, who leaves the CEO role after eight years at the company.

Mazany joins the 300-unit chain most recently from Rosa Mexicano, Yardbird and Shell Shack, where he was CEO, while also an operating partner at private equity firm TriSpan Capital. Previously he worked as president and CEO of Joe's Crab Shack.

Mazany has been charged with focusing on “driving profitable, consistent same-store sales growth, leveraging compelling in-restaurant experiences and increasing traffic,” according to the brand. He will also “accelerate new restaurant development domestically and internationally and expand consumer packaged goods initiatives.”

“Our goal is to build on the brand's strong foundation to deliver bold flavors, immersive dining experiences, and innovative concepts that delight today’s guest and shape the future of modern Asian cuisine,” Mazany said in a press release.

Earlier in his career, Mazany was CEO of SPB Hospitality, where he oversaw over 300 locations across the country for brands including J. Alexander's, Logan's Roadhouse and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. 

Late last month P.F. Chang’s launched its new brand platform, “Light the Fire,” which the brand said is “centered on the wok… celebrating fire as both culinary craft and a spark for connection, warmth and memorable experiences.”

Privately held P.F. Chang's, founded in 1993, touts itself as the first “multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience.” The Chinese-focused menu includes additional food influences from Japan, Korea and Thailand, among other Asian countries.