Puck Eyes Bigger Share in Packaged Goods

Wolfgang Puck, whose Santa Monica-based food company has opened locations at South Coast Plaza, the Irvine Entertainment Center and Fashion Island in Newport Beach, is now pushing harder to gain market share in the packaged goods side of the business.

Wolfgang Puck Food Co. hired Tom Warner as general manager of its Packaged Foods Division. Warner, who previously was with American Seafoods Co. in Seattle, is charged with turning the packaged line “into a major brand,” Warner said. “With a high-quality brand like Wolfgang Puck and current demographic and psychographic trends, there is tremendous appeal.”

Greg Johnson covers retail businesses and restaurants for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5950 and at greg.johnson@latimes.com