Sponsored By

Having Words With: Tim Taft of Fiesta Restaurant GroupHaving Words With: Tim Taft of Fiesta Restaurant Group

The chief executive discusses fast-casual brands Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 15, 2013

3 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Tim Taft, chief executive of Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., sees strong potential in the company’s two fast-casual brands, Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana.

Taft joined then-parent company Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. of Syracuse, N.Y., the nation’s largest Burger King franchisee, in June 2011 as Carrols was preparing to spin off the two fast-casual brands into their own public company.

That separation was completed nearly a year ago, on May 7, 2012, and the resulting company, Fiesta, just made a secondary offering of nearly 3 million shares. In addition, the company late last year moved its headquarters from Miami to Addison, Texas.

Fiesta has 251 company-owned and 43 franchised restaurants in the United States and abroad. Taft spoke with Na...

Create a free account or login

This content is available for registered users

Already Subscribed?

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

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.