Fiesta Restaurant : Pollo Tropical® Gearing up for Next Growth Spurt

New executives to help fuel company's growth into new markets; drive menu innovation

(ADDISON, Texas) June 14, 2016 - Pollo Tropical, a fast-growing Caribbean-inspired fast casual concept centered on citrus-marinated grilled chicken and authentic island sauces and sides, has filled a newly created vice president of marketing position with international branding agency veteran Todd Nonken. It also names David Groll as the company's new corporate executive chef in charge of menu innovation.

Nonken joins the company's Addison headquarters after having served as managing director at Havas Worldwide. Prior to that, he led brand-building teams for global brands including McDonald's, Pizza Hut and YUM! Brands during his tenure at DDB Chicago and TracyLocke.

In his new role, Nonken will help guide the Pollo Tropical brand as the company continues rapid growth into new markets, including Texas, Tennessee and Georgia.

'Todd is a branding superstar, and his experience and insight into connecting brands with consumers will support our aggressive expansion plans,' said Pollo Tropical COO Danny Meisenheimer. 'And because our success and growth are built on the foundation of serving great food and bringing the Caribbean spirit to life, we have brought in David Groll, a top talent within the industry, to step up our menu innovation game.'

Groll, who will work out of the company's Miami offices, is a veteran R&D professional who has developed and launched new menu items for brands including Beef 'O' Brady's/The Brass Tap, McAlister's Deli, Denny's and Arby's. He also brings a strong background in Latin and Caribbean cooking to the company through his menu development and creative ideation experience at island resort hotels in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., is a Caribbean-inspired fast casual concept known for its fresh, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices. Other craveable island favorites include Mojo Roast Pork and made-from-scratch sides including rice, beans, yuca with garlic sauce, sweet plantains and more. Menu items like the Tropical Citrus Chicken Salad, Guava BBQ Pork Sandwich and Create Your Own TropiChop bowls can be customized with 10 zesty tropical signature sauces on Pollo Tropical's famous Saucing Island. Founded in Miami in 1988, the Addison, Texas-based company currently owns and operates more than 160 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, plus five licensed restaurants on college campuses and 36 franchised locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit Pollo Tropical's website at www.pollotropical.com.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabanarestaurant 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.

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Media Relations Contact:
Kerrie Sparks
214-379-7000
kerrie@spmcommunications.com