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On The Border names new operations chiefOn The Border names new operations chief

Luis Ruvalcaba Jr. joins brand from Peet’s Coffee

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 17, 2019

1 Min Read
On the Border names Matt Hood CEO
Ron Ruggless

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has named industry veteran Luis Ruvalcaba Jr. as chief operating officer, the company announced this week.

Ruvalcaba succeeds former COO Monte Batson, who left the Dallas-based Mexican casual-dining brand last year.

Luis Ruvalcaba Jr.

Photo: On The Border

OnTheBorder_COO_Luis_J._Ruvalcaba_Jr_2019Jan_0.png“We’re thrilled to have Luis join the On The Border Team,” said Matt Hood, On The Border CEO, in a statement. “He shares our company-wide goal of pushing performance forward in strategic ways to deliver sustainable results. Luis will be a tremendous asset in helping us reclaim our position as the leader in Mexican casual dining.” 

Ruvalcaba most recently served as vice president of retail operations at Peet’s Coffee. 

Prior to that, he was CEO, president and chief operations officer at Patxi’s Pizza LLC and worked as a regional vice president of operations with BJ’s Restaurants Inc. He started his career with Chili’s Grill & Bar in the 1990s.

“On The Border is an iconic brand that is poised to accomplish great things in 2019 and beyond,” Ruvalcaba said.

On The Border has more than 150 restaurants in 31 states and Asia.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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