NBA Finals Pit Two Fiesta Restaurant Group Execs Against Each Other

ADDISON, Texas, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The NBA Finals repeat between rivals the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs have given two Fiesta Restaurant Group COOs a reason to renew a sibling-restaurant rivalry of their own.

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San Antonio-based Taco Cabana COO Todd Coerver and Miami-based Pollo Tropical COO Danny Meisenheimer are wagering that their respective hometown will win the finals, and they are putting their money where their mouths are. The losing city's COO will have to go to the winner's city and work a busy three-hour lunch shift in a wild, over-the-top "superfan" uniform designed by the winning city's home office.

Coerver knows all too well how fun that is. San Antonio's 2013 loss sent him to Miami to bus tables in a Heat jersey, and the Spurs fan is looking for some payback.

"Meisenheimer better be sharpening his tortilla-making skills, because San Antonio is looking good – a heck of a lot better than Danny will in the costume we have planned for him," said Coerver. "This time, it's personal."

Pollo's Meisenheimer, meanwhile, says he'll welcome Coerver back to his highest-volume Miami store for a second year.

"I know our guests will get a big kick out of seeing Todd work the grill, or maybe wipe down the Saucing Island," said Meisenheimer. "I'll tell you, he's not a bad little worker, and we look forward to him helping us out during a busy lunch in the near future."

Like any good parent company, Fiesta isn't taking sides.

"It's all in good fun, and we're all about fun at both Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical," said Fiesta President and CEO Tim Taft. "Just don't ask me who I want to see win."

The winning city's restaurant will also donate 10 percent of the shift's sales to the charity of the winning executive's choice.

About Fiesta Restaurant Group^®, Inc.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana and Cabana Grill^™ restaurant 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.

About Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, 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, as well as authentic, made-from-scratch side dishes, soups, salads and wraps. The Miami-based company, founded in 1988, currently owns and operates 108 locations in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, and recently opened its first Texas location in Addison. There are also four licensed restaurants located on college campuses, and 36 franchised locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Puerto Rico and India. For more information on Pollo Tropical, including employment opportunities, menu and nutritional information as well as information about international franchising, visit Pollo Tropical's website at www.pollotropical.com.

About Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded more than 35 years ago in San Antonio and specializes in authentic Mexican food, made fresh by hand, including fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining and drive-thru windows. As of Jan. 1, 2014, Taco Cabana operates more than 170 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Media Relations Contact:
Mary Kate Jeffries
214-379-7000
[email protected]

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SOURCE Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.