Cris Bennett

Good Stuff Restaurants originated when Cris Bennett opened the West Los Angeles location of Good Stuff Burgers in 1979. Cris, who has worked in the food industry for more than 50 years, owns Good Stuff locations in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo and Palos Verdes.

What inspired you to start your business?

At 15 years old, I got my first job as a busboy with one goal: to save enough money to buy my first car. I quickly realized I loved the restaurant business. That experience sparked a passion that eventually led me to open Good Stuff Restaurants. I never imagined that a summer job would become a career, four restaurants and a lifetime of serving the South Bay.

Define your leadership style.

I’ve always believed that people come first. I’m blessed with seven children and 16 grandchildren, and family has always been the center of my life. That same philosophy carries over to Good Stuff. Many of our employees have been with us for decades, and they’re not just coworkers; they’re an extension of my family. Nothing makes me prouder than watching people grow, whether it’s an employee who started as a dishwasher and became a manager, or seeing my daughter Cassidy step into a leadership role and my son Cameron help lead our marketing. When you invest in people, they invest back in you.

What does “local” mean to you?

Being local means caring about your neighbors. For nearly five decades, South Bay families have welcomed us into their lives, and we’ve always tried to give that support right back. Whether it’s sponsoring youth sports, supporting schools and working with local charities or simply creating a place where generations of families gather over breakfast or lunch, we’ve always believed a successful business has a responsibility to strengthen the community it serves.

How has the next generation impacted your business?

The next generation has brought fresh ideas while helping us stay true to the values we’ve built Good Stuff on. Cameron’s company, Clear Sky Creations, creates short-form videos that generate millions of views and have introduced Good Stuff to a whole new generation of guests.

Photographed by Cassidy Nelson