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Growth Chains: Mi CocinaGrowth Chains: Mi Cocina

Upscale Tex-Mex concept plans gradual, targeted East Coast expansion

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 13, 2013

5 Min Read
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While M Crowd Restaurant Group Inc. of Dallas has spent the last 22 years expanding its Mi Cocina polished-casual Tex-Mex concept chiefly around the Dallas marketplace, it has now begun to branch out on the East Coast.

Mi Cocina — which translates from Spanish as “my kitchen” — opened in Atlanta in November, and executives planned to open the 22nd location in Chevy Chase, Md., in early May.

“Mi Cocina is more upscale Mexican,” said Ray Washburne, who owns the concept with his brother Dick Washburne and Bob McNutt. “What P.F. Chang’s [China Bistro] did for Chinese food, Mi Cocina does for Mexican food.

“It’s an upscale casual-dining version of the Mexican segment, which no one else really seems to be doing,” Washburne continued.

Mi Cocina dis...

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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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