Danny Meisenheimer has been appointed interim president and CEO of Fiesta Restaurant Group, parent of the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical fast-casual brands.
Meisenheimer, who previously served as COO of Pollo Tropical, replaces Tim Taft, who is retiring as of Sept. 30—though he initially intended to do so at the end of the year.
Citing market challenges, Fiesta said it has also stopped Taco Cabana's planned spinoff and is ceasing its search for a separate CEO of the chain. In addition, it has halted expansion of Pollo Tropical in Fiesta’s home state of Texas, though it will continue with growth plans for the brand elsewhere.
Comps for both brands slipped during the most recent fiscal quarter, with Taco Cabana’s falling 3.8% year over year and Pollo Tropical’s dipping 1.4%.
Fiesta said it is currently searching for permanent replacements to fill Taft’s corporate post as well as his soon-to-be-vacated board seat.
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