SYRACUSE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: TAST), today announced the
hiring of Timothy Taft as Chief Executive Officer of Fiesta Restaurant
Group, Inc. effective August 15, 2011. Fiesta Restaurant Group, an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Carrols Restaurant Group, owns and
operates the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical restaurant businesses.
Carrols Restaurant Group previously announced that it plans to spin-off
Fiesta Restaurant Group as a separate public company by the end of this
year.
"Tim Taft is a proven leader in the restaurant industry and brings a
broad range of experience and skills to Fiesta," stated Alan Vituli, CEO
and Chairman of Carrols Restaurant Group. "Tim's background as a
successful marketer, brand builder and operator in the restaurant
industry will provide a great blend of practical knowledge, customer
orientation, and team building to our growing Pollo Tropical and Taco
Cabana restaurant brands. He joins Fiesta at a very exciting time for
the Company."
Mr. Taft, age 53, succeeds Mr. Vituli as Chief Executive Officer of
Fiesta Restaurant Group. Mr. Vituli will remain as the CEO and Chairman
of the Board of Carrols Restaurant Group and Chairman of the Board of
Fiesta Restaurant Group.
Mr. Taft has over 30 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry
having worked his way up from a national account director at a regional
advertising agency to become President and Chief Operating Officer at
Whataburger, Inc., a made-to-order burger restaurant chain headquartered
in Corpus Christi, Texas with over 700 locations in 15 states. Mr. Taft
was at Whataburger for over 10 years. Most recently, Mr. Taft served as
interim Chief Executive Officer of Souper Salad, Inc., a San Antonio,
Texas based company owned by private equity investors.
About the Company
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., operating through its subsidiaries,
including Carrols Corporation, is one of the largest restaurant
companies in the United States. The Company operates three restaurant
brands in the quick-casual and quick-service restaurant segments with
550 company-owned and operated restaurants in 16 states as of July 3,
2011, and 35 franchised restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico,
Ecuador, Honduras, Trinidad, the Bahamas and Venezuela. Carrols
Restaurant Group owns and operates two Hispanic Brand restaurants, Pollo
Tropical and Taco Cabana. It is also the largest Burger King franchisee,
based on number of restaurants, and has operated Burger King restaurants
since 1976.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained in this news release,
the matters addressed are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent the Company's
expectation or belief concerning future events. Without limiting the
foregoing, these statements are often identified by the words "may,"
"might," "believes," "thinks," "anticipates," "plans," "expects",
"intends" or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of our
strategies, intentions or plans, (including, without limitation, the
Company's consideration of a potential spin-off transaction) are also
forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management's current
views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and
uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our
control. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and
uncertainties as included in the Company's and Carrols Corporation's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Relations:
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
800-348-1074,
ext. 3333
Source: Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
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