Rosa Mexicano announced today that Tom Dillon has been named the President and Chief Executive Officer of the premium Mexican restaurant group. Starting in his new role at Rosa Mexicano as of August 19, Dillon will oversee the strategic development as well as domestic and international expansion of the brand. Most recently, Dillon was President and Chief Operating Officer of Patina Restaurant Group with over 60 restaurants and food service operations in performing arts centers in major metropolitan cities on both the East and West coasts.
“Tom has the ideal blend of leadership, experience and vision to guide Rosa Mexicano into an exciting new chapter of growth,” said Joe Ferreira chairman of Rosa Mexicano’s board of directors and a partner at Goode Partners.
Previously, Dillon was President and Chief Operating Officer at Richard Sandoval Restaurants, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the group’s global growth strategy and built the supporting operating infrastructure necessary to grow the business from 5 to 30 units. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Pret a Manger USA during which time he was able to double the size of the company and continues to serve on the company’s board of directors.
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome aboard Tom, whose diverse and deep background in hospitality and keen understanding of successful brand growth strategies is the perfect match for Rosa Mexicano today,” said Rosa Mexicano co-founders Dan Hickey, Doug Griebel and Howard Greenstone.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to play such a pivotal role in the future growth and development of Rosa Mexicano,” said Dillon. “This brand has a rich history and tremendous potential ahead – a powerful combination that I fully intend to maximize in order to propel its continued success.”
Founded in New York City in 1984, Rosa Mexicano currently has 15 locations in the U.S. and has expanded globally with restaurants in Panama, Puerto Rico and Dubai.
After more than 12 years growing the brand outside of its NYC-base and launching it internationally, former Rosa Mexicano President and CEO Greenstone will remain engaged as part of the company’s board of directors.
Rosa Mexicano, established in 1984, introduced what was then a “new” cuisine to the Manhattan restaurant scene when it opened its original Midtown East location. In 2000, the next generation of Rosa Mexicano was ushered in with the opening of a second location near Lincoln Center, once again breaking new ground by featuring a stunning modern interior inspired by contemporary Mexican architecture and establishing the vibrant signature style of restaurants to come. Today, the growing restaurant group has fifteen locations nationwide in Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chevy Chase, MD; Hackensack, NJ; Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; National Harbor, MD; New York, NY; Washington DC; and internationally in Dubai, Panama City and Puerto Rico. Rosa Mexicano continues its commitment to delivering authentic Mexican cuisine in an accessible, stylish and festive atmosphere.
Goode Partners LLC is a New York-based private equity firm that focuses exclusively on investment opportunities in the retail, restaurant, apparel, direct marketing and branded consumer products sectors. The firm has established itself as a partner of choice by leveraging its unique combination of investment capital, a team of professionals with experience investing in and operating some of the world’s premiere consumer brands, and an extensive industry network. Goode seeks to partner with the owners and managers of well-positioned, high-growth potential consumer-oriented companies.
