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Del Taco promotes Chad Gretzema to operations chiefDel Taco promotes Chad Gretzema to operations chief

Company veteran most recently served in strategic planning

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 16, 2019

1 Min Read
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Del Taco COO Chad Gretzema 2019Sept.jpgDel Taco Restaurants Inc. has promoted Chad Gretzema, left, to the new role of chief operating officer, the company said Monday.

The Lake Forest, Calif.-based quick-service Mexican brand said Gretzema has been with Del Taco for seven years, most recently serving as senior vice president for strategic planning and innovation.

“Chad has been a key architect of many of our strategic combined solutions operational improvement efforts and is a trusted partner within the organization who knows how to help teams deliver superior results,” said John Cappasola, Jr., Del Taco’s president and CEO, in a statement.

“He has also been a passionate voice, ensuring strong cross-functional franchise support and enabling our franchise partners to successfully grow their businesses,” Cappasola said. The new COO role “will further our focus on great four-wall operations,” he said.

In the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 200 census, Del Taco ranked No. 67 among brands in U.S. systemwide sales, with $817.8 million for the fiscal year ended in December.

Gretzema joined Del Taco in 2012. Previously, he worked in various positions in operations, training and marketing at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Phoenix Children’s Academy, Noodles & Company and Oscar Mayer Foods.

Related:Del Taco plans refranchising push

Del Taco, founded in 1964, has more than 580 restaurants in 14 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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