Mama Fu’s Asian House, the Austin-based restaurant concept specializing in fresh and innovative Asian cuisine, announces the addition of marketing executive Matt Hood to its Board of Directors.
Hood is the chief marketing officer for Habit Restaurants Inc., and brings more than 20 years of marketing, restaurant industry insights, and vision to the Mama Fu’s board.
"Matt Hood is another extraordinary addition to Mama Fu's board," says Randy Murphy, CEO of Mama Fu's. "As we continue our period of substantial growth, Matt’s experience with successful, high-growth brands will help to ensure Mama Fu’s is best positioned for the exciting road ahead."
Prior to his current role at The Habit, Hood served as chief marketing officer at BJ’s Restaurants Inc. from 2008 to 2014. During that period, the company grew from 68 restaurants and $316 million in sales to 145 restaurants and more than $800 million in sales. Prior to joining BJ’s, Hood served in a series of leadership roles for Carino’s Italian Restaurants and Brinker International (which owns and operates Chili’s Grill and Bar and Maggiano’s casual dining concepts). Hood served on the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group Board of Directors from 2003 to 2012, serving as co-chair from 2006 to 2008. Hood earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising from Texas Christian University, and his MBA in marketing and entrepreneurship from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Mama Fu’s has 14 operating locations and more than 30 locations in development over the next two years, mostly in the Southwestern U.S. Mama Fu’s popularity has drawn the attention of an international company looking to introduce the concept to the UAE, opening two locations in early 2015. Hood’s expertise and experience in this field will be instrumental in guiding Mama Fu’s during this growth phase and taking the franchise to the next level.
