Tavistock Restaurants Names Jim Mizes President of FREEBIRDS World Burrito

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tavistock Restaurants has tapped Jim Mizes to serve as president for FREEBIRDS World Burrito – the fast casual burrito joint with the rock 'n' roll attitude.  Mizes is an expert in leading accelerated growth of multi-unit food service concepts including Jamba Juice and Noah's Bagels and will be responsible for leading the rapid expansion of the FREEBIRDS concept and franchise locations in key markets.

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Mizes has been a leader in many facets of the restaurant industry including operations, brand development, retail and planning. Most recently CEO & president of Club One, Mizes was vice president of brand development and vice president of store operations for Jamba Juice, Inc. Prior to Jamba he was vice president of retail for Noah's New York Bagels before being promoted to CEO & president. He was the operations services vice president at Taco Bell and vice president of operations for Winchell's Donut House. Mizes has a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth and an MBA from UCLA.

"Jim has the right balance of brand passion, people passion and leadership to take FREEBIRDS to the next level," said Tavistock Restaurants CEO Bryan Lockwood. Commenting on his new position Mizes said, "We have a unique opportunity to build a brand and restaurant experience that is enduring, engaging, fun, and can help change the world for the better...one community at a time."

ABOUT FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO

FREEBIRDS is about awesome burritos and freedom of choice.  As guests join the queue, they are partnered with a team member, known as a "Roller," who helps them choose from four sizes of burrito made from four possible flavors of tortilla. Burritos are hand-rolled with the guest's personal selection from more than 40 freshly prepared ingredients including grass fed beef, hormone-free chicken, or all natural carnitas topped with hand-cut veggies, hot peppers, house made salsas, queso and guacamole.  The restaurants have a free-spirited ambience with a rockin' soundtrack, reminiscent of a late-'60s rock 'n' roll roadhouse. It's Not Normal!®

About Tavistock Restaurants:

Tavistock Restaurants owns and operates 16 concepts with more than 90 restaurants including Abe & Louie's, Alcatraz Brewing Company, Atlantic Fish Company, AquaKnox, Blackhawk Grille, Cafe del Rey, California Cafe, Canonita, Charley's, Coach Grill, FREEBIRDS, Joe's American Bar & Grill, Napa Valley Grille, Sapporo Scottsdale, Timpano Italian Chophouse and ZED451.

SOURCE Tavistock Restaurants