CYPRESS Calif. Industry veterans Jeff Campbell and Craig S. Miller have joined the board of directors for Real Mex Restaurants Inc., which operates 189 Mexican casual-dining restaurants under several brands.
The two men will replace Athony Polazzi and Raj Patel, who are vacating their positions to accommodate the addition of Campbell and Miller.
Campbell, a former chief executive of Burger King, is currently the Brinker executive in residence at San Diego State’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. He also is chairman of The Chairmen’s Roundtable, a San Diego-based group composed of former chief executives. Campbell has also served as chairman of Pillsbury Restaurant Group, senior vice president for Brand Development at Pepsi-Cola, and chief executive of both Johnny Rockets and Catalina Restaurant Group.
Miller, a former president, chief executive and chairman of Ruth’s Chris Steak House Inc., which has since changed its name to Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc., formed Miller-Sinton Capital Partners LLC, a restaurant investment and advisory firm, with financier William C. Sinton in 2008. Miller also has served as president and chief executive of Furr’s Restaurant Group and Uno Restaurant Corp.
“Both of these new directors have significant and relevant experience which we expect to draw upon as we continue to execute our strategic plans,” Dick Rivera, president, chief executive and chairman of Real Mex Restaurants said in a statement.
He added, “I also appreciate the support that Anthony and Raj have provided and thank them for their willingness to vacate their positions to allow the new board members to join our team.
“In the past 90 days we have refinanced our debt, introduced new menus in our three core concepts and launched a broader, more balanced advertising campaign,” Rivera continued. “We are focused on enhancing the value proposition we offer our guests, improving our operations and capitalizing on the opportunities that exist to grow our market share.”
Based in Cypress, Real Mex operates 155 restaurants in California and 34 in 12 other states under the El Torito, Chevys Fresh Mex, Acapulco, Sinigual and other brands.
Contact Robin Lee Allen at [email protected].