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Uncle Julio’s names Dan Wheeler to new CMO postUncle Julio’s names Dan Wheeler to new CMO post

Marketing executive joins casual-dining brand from Wahlburgers

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 29, 2020

1 Min Read
Uncle Juliios Hires Dan Wheeler CMO
Uncle Julia's has named Dan Wheeler to the new position of chief marketing officer.Uncle Julio's Restaurant Group

Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group has hired Dan Wheeler to the new position of chief marketing officer, the company said Tuesday.

The Irving, Texas-based casual-dining brand said Wheeler would lead brand strategy, digital marketing, revenue generation and menu innovation as well as help bring a virtual brand to market.

Wheeler most recently served as senior vice president for marketing and innovation at Hingham, Mass.-based Wahlburgers.

“Dan’s restaurant experience and innovative perspective make him a perfect fit for the stage we are at as a company,” said Tom Vogel, CEO of Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group, said in a statement. “He will play an important role in driving growth across all of our concepts as we accelerate the pace of new initiatives related to growing off-premise and on-premise sales.”

Uncle Julio's CMO Dan Wheeler.jpgPrior to Wahlburgers, Wheeler, left, worked with Dunkin’ Brands Inc.

“I’m super pumped about the opportunity in front of us at Uncle Julio’s,” Wheeler said. “When you have a company full of people fanatically dedicated to creating memorable experiences for all these years, who are also open to contemporary new ideas, the space is created for something magical to happen.”

Uncle Julio’s was acquired in October 2017 by Greenwich, Conn.-based private-equity firm L Catterton.

Related:L Catterton acquires Uncle Julio’s

Uncle Julio’s, founded in 1986, has about 35 units in 11 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

 

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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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