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Uncle Julio’s names new president, CEOUncle Julio’s names new president, CEO

Tom Vogel succeeds Todd Conger in the role

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 25, 2013

1 Min Read
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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.

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“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].
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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