Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. Elevates Three Top Execs

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRGI), which operates the fast-casual dining chains Taco Cabana, Pollo Tropical and Cabana Grill, announces the promotions of several of its top executives.

Chief Financial Officer Lynn Schweinfurth is promoted to senior vice president after serving as CFO and vice president for the company since July 2012. During her tenure at Fiesta, she has helped implement new corporate systems, infrastructure and staffing at the company’s new headquarters in Addison, Texas, 18 months ahead of schedule after the spin-out from Carrols Restaurant Group.

She also facilitated the development of a refined five-year business strategy and developed and implemented FRGI’s new capital structure in late 2013, resulting in estimated 2014 earnings per share growth of approximately 25 percent. Schweinfurth was recently named a 2014 CFO of the Year in the Restaurants – Public category by the Dallas Business Journal.

“Lynn’s financial leadership has been absolutely key to our organization during our rapid growth phase, which we will continue in 2015,” said Fiesta President and CEO Tim Taft. “This well-deserved promotion comes after a phenomenal year of financial performance and growth to which Lynn has contributed so greatly.”

Fiesta also elevates Chief Counsel Joseph Zirkman to senior vice president. He has served as vice president, general counsel and secretary since 2011. Prior to the Fiesta spin-out, Zirkman served as vice president and general counsel of Carrols Restaurant Group since 1993.

“Joe has been a strong source of leadership and continuity for the company since the spin-out from Carrols,” said Taft. “As a member of our core team, Joe has been dedicated to providing a strong foundation for the company to grow and partnered with Lynn so effectively in last year’s recapitalization project and follow-on offering.”

Chief Development Officer John Todd, who joined the company in 2012, adds a group vice president designation to his title. Todd is responsible for all facets of Fiesta’s real estate and development, including site selection, design and construction of new restaurants and the upgrading and re-imaging of existing facilities.

“Since he joined the company, John has successfully created and executed national development strategies and brought a new level of discipline to the real estate and development functions at Fiesta that have been critical during this dynamic time,” Taft said. “FRGI as a parent company did not exist three years ago, and there has been a special collaborative effort among leaders at the brands and the corporate level. To be a world-class company, you need world-class people, and Lynn, Joe and John are three such individuals.”

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana and Cabana Grill restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast-casual, ethnic restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature made-from-scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.