Real Mex, the parent of Chevys, El Torito and five other casual-dining chains, has named former Tavistock Restaurants chief Bryan Lockwood as its new CEO.
The 35-year veteran of the restaurant business fills the vacancy left by the resignation last summer of Charly Robinson.
Lockwood was chosen “build out our premier brands and further execute on our transformational strategy,” said James Zenni, chairman of Real Mex and CEO of Z Capital Partners, one of two private equity companies that own the collection of Mexican casual chains.
Real Mex’s portfolio includes a number of venerable dinnerhouse brands, along with a recent venture, the single-unit Who Song and Larry’s Cal Mex Cantina.
Its older holdings include Acapulco, Las Brisas and El Paso. The group consists of 125 restaurants, 13 of which are franchised from other companies.
Tavistock is a collection of such high-end restaurants as Blackhawk Grille, Aquaknox and Joe’s American Bar & Grill, as well as the Free Birds fast-casual burrito chain.
Lockwood left the company in 2013.
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