Pollo Tropical® Names Danny Meisenheimer Interim Chief Operating Officer

Brand Building to be Primary Focus of Leadership Transition

Danny Meisenheimer, Pollo Tropical Restaurants (Photo: Business Wire)

MIAMI--()--Pollo Tropical®, the Caribbean-inspired quick-casual restaurant chain known for its marinated chicken on the grill, recently announced the promotion of Danny Meisenheimer to the position of Interim Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Jim Tunnessen following his retirement from the company as COO in January 2013.

Meisenheimer joined Pollo Tropical in early 2012 as its Chief Brand Officer after more than 20 years of brand and operations leadership experience; having previously served as Chief Brand Officer and COO in the family dining and quick service restaurant categories.

“Danny brings a unique blend of experience to the company. His background provides the brand with a focus that supports our expansion, transaction and growth strategies,” said Tim Taft, President and CEO of Fiesta Restaurant Group. “He compliments our strong management team at a time when improving and elevating our guest experience is the primary mission of this growth brand.”

“This is a very special company that’s dedicated and passionate about the products and guests it serves,” says Meisenheimer. “It’s an honor to lead but a bigger thrill to be associated with a brand, that in my view, has no peer.”

For more information on Pollo Tropical, including menu items and nutritional information, visit online at www.pollotropical.com.

ABOUT POLLO TROPICAL®

Pollo Tropical®, a part of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns and operates 90 locations in the United States (Florida and Georgia) plus three licensed units located on college campuses in Florida. The company has more than 30 international franchised locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad, Venezuela, and Costa Rica and has agreements in place for additional franchised units in Guatemala, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and India. The first Pollo Tropical restaurant opened in 1988 in Miami, Florida. The unique restaurant concept is known for its fresh, never frozen, open flame grilled chicken, marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices, as well as authentic “made from scratch” side dishes. For more information on Pollo Tropical, including menu items and nutritional information as well as information about international franchising, visit online at www.pollotropical.com.

ABOUT FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI) owns, operates and franchises the Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands with 250 company-owned and operated restaurants and 41 franchised restaurants in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela as of September 1, 2012. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with a broad appeal at a compelling value. Both brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, and drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. visit our corporate website at www.FRGI.com.

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Contacts

For Pollo Tropical®
Jack Wolfe, 786-326-6763
jack@impactmiami.com

Release Summary

Pollo Tropical announces the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jim Tunnessen and promotion of Danny Meisenheimer as Interim Chief Operating Officer

Contacts

For Pollo Tropical®
Jack Wolfe, 786-326-6763
jack@impactmiami.com