Uncle Julio’s names new president, CEO

Uncle Julio’s Corp. has named Tom Vogel president and chief executive, the Tex-Mex casual-dining company said this week.

Vogel, who was chief executive of the Logan’s Roadhouse chain until earlier this year, succeeds Todd Conger, whom the Dallas-based company said left “to pursue other opportunities.” Vogel assumed the duties on Sept. 19.

“What attracted me to the Uncle Julio’s brand the most is the quality, flavor and freshness of the food, as well as the team’s commitment to delivering a consistently great guest experience,” Vogel said. 

Vogel said in a statement that he saw expansion potential for the Uncle Julio’s brand.

“With impressive AUVs [average unit volumes] and only 17 restaurants, I am convinced that there is tremendous unit growth potential for Uncle Julio's,” he said.

Brian Cherry, managing director of New Canaan, Conn.-based J.H. Whitney & Co., the private-equity firm that acquired Uncle Julio’s in 2011, said, “We are excited as ever about the Uncle Julio's brand and are proud to welcome Tom, a proven, growth-oriented CEO.”

An opening is planned in Orland Park, Ill., this month, taking the brand to six major metropolitan areas: Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boca Raton, Fla.; Chicago; Dallas-Fort Worth; and Washington, D.C. Uncle Julio’s opened its first restaurant in Dallas in 1986.

Prior to joining Logan’s Roadhouse in 2003, Vogel held senior positions with Darden Restaurants Inc. for 12 years.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
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