Bar Louie names former Tijuana Flats head Brian Wright as CEOBar Louie names former Tijuana Flats head Brian Wright as CEO

Joanna Fantozzi

Addison, Texas-based gastrobar chain Bar Louie announced the appointment of former Tijuana Flats head executive, Brian Wright, as the company’s new CEO. Wright began his tenure on Sept. 7, replacing former CEO Tom Fricke, who left the 70-unit chain in June.

“We are thrilled that Brian has chosen to take the leadership reigns at Bar Louie. Brian brings an impressive background with proven success as a leader in the restaurant industry,” Gordon Paris, Bar Louie’s chairman of the board said in a statement. “With his track record of guiding legendary brands and a clear vision for the future, he is the perfect choice to take advantage of the many opportunities we see at Bar Louie and to lead our business to even greater heights.”

Wright served as CEO of Orlando-based Tijuana Flats for three-and-a-half years where he helped to redesign the brand and create a long-term growth brand. Before that, he was CEO of Bertucci’s for nearly three years, and also held executive positions with Au Bon Pain and Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurants, and has more than 35 years of experience in the restaurant business industry.

“I am thrilled to be joining this great brand and I appreciate the confidence and support shown by the board and owners,” Wright said in a statement. “I see numerous opportunities to drive growth and profitability and meaningfully improve the customer experience, and I am excited to begin tackling these challenges with the outstanding members of the Bar Louie family.”

This leadership change represents a new chapter for Bar Louie, which filed for bankruptcy just before the pandemic in 2020 and was bought out of bankruptcy by the company’s secured lender Antares Capital LP later that year under Tom Fricke’s leadership.

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