Timothy P. Taft

Timothy P. Taft, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., President and CEO, joined the company in that role in August 2011 to spin it off from Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., forming a separate, publically traded company, Fiesta Restaurant Group, to operate the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical brands. Both brands have thrived under his leadership, celebrating record gains as one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the nation. In 2014, Fiesta is poised to launch its third brand — Cabana Grill, created by Taco Cabana — in Atlanta. Mr. Taft is a restaurant and hospitality veteran with more than 35 years’ experience as a successful operator, marketer, brand builder and franchisor within the industry. Prior to joining Fiesta, Mr. Taft was President/CEO of SSI-Grandy’s LLC and before that served in the same capacity at Pizza Inn, Inc., where he was also a director from 2005 to 2007. During his 10-year tenure at Whataburger, where he served as President and COO from 2000 to 2005, and in previous other senior management positions from 1994 to 2000, Whataburger achieved 44 quarters in a row of same-store sales increases. It was also named a Texas Treasure by the Texas Legislature and Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Again” concept. Mr. Taft has been a director of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., since May 2012.