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Del Taco promotes former COO Chad Gretzema to brand presidentDel Taco promotes former COO Chad Gretzema to brand president

Former CEO and brand president John Cappasola leaves the company to become CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 5, 2022

1 Min Read
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Del Taco has announced the promotion of former brand COO Chad Gretzema to brand president following the June departure of president and CEO John Cappasola, who now heads retail bakery company, Nothing Bundt Cakes. The move comes five months after the announcement that Jack in the Box had officially purchased Del Taco.

"Chad has been an instrumental part of the executive team at Del Taco that has compiled an impressive eight consecutive years of positive franchise same-store sales,” Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris said in a statement. “He has been a champion for Del Taco operators, franchisees and guests as the COO and I am confident his proven leadership and strategic vision will further drive our combined company to the next phase of growth.”

Gretzema has been with Del Taco for 10 years in various roles, including multiple senior vice president, and his latest role as COO, which he held for three years. He also held previous roles at Noodles & Company, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, and Oscar Meyer.

“Chad has been an incredible partner in bringing our two brands together and is helping us maximize the benefits of our increased scale and shared services to leverage best practices and synergies across the brands,” Harris said in a statement.

Read more about:

Del TacoJack in the Box

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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