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Fiesta promotes Ryan Nowlin to information chiefFiesta promotes Ryan Nowlin to information chief

Taco Cabana-Pollo Tropical parent says new CIO position fits into strategy

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

December 21, 2017

1 Min Read
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Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc. has promoted Ryan Nowlin to the new position of chief information officer, the company said Tuesday.

The Dallas-based parent of the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical concepts said Nowlin will be responsible for all strategic information technology systems for the two brands.

“Ryan has been instrumental in the successful development and execution of a number of IT and technology initiatives which were identified as part of the company’s renewal program, helping transform the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical brands including a new loyalty program and off-site ordering and consumption strategies,” said Richard Stockinger, Fiesta president and CEO, in a statement.

“By creating this new position of chief information officer,” Stockinger said, “we will ensure that technology continues to be an integral part of our overall strategy for brand renewal and growth as we head into 2018.”

Nowlin has been with Fiesta since September 2012.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 1, Fiesta reported a loss of $8.3 million, or 31 cents a share, compared to a loss of $4.5 million, or 17 cents a share, in the same period last year. Revenues fell 12.9 percent to $158.7 million from $182.3 million in the prior-year quarter.

As of Oct. 1, Fiesta had 181 Pollo Tropical restaurants and 175 Taco Cabana units.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected] 

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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