ZCG-Backed Xperience Restaurant Group Appoints Mike Johnson as Chief Executive Officer
April 30 2024 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Accomplished Restaurant Brand Leader with
Operational Expertise and Proven Track Record to Support Continued
Growth of the XRG Platform and Portfolio of Leading Casual and Fine
Dining Brands
Xperience Restaurant Group (“XRG” or the “Company”), one of the
nation's leading operators of casual, polished casual, and fine
dining Mexican restaurants, today announced that Mike Johnson, the
Company’s Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Chief
Executive Officer, effective immediately. As CEO, Mr. Johnson will
collaborate with the management team to drive XRG’s long-term
corporate strategy and oversee the Company’s financial and
operational performance to support its industry-leading brands.
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Mr. Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience as an
accomplished restaurant brand leader with a track record of success
in directing high-level organizational strategies, building leading
brands, empowering employees, and delivering innovative customer
experiences. Mr. Johnson joined XRG in 2018 and has served as Chief
Operating Officer since 2022, where he has built leadership teams,
implemented technology to enhance restaurant guest experiences, and
worked across the Company’s portfolio to improve brand performance.
Prior to joining XRG, he held multiple leadership roles at Real Mex
Restaurants, California Fish Grill, and Elephant Bar
Restaurants.
“Mike’s operational expertise and proven ability to lead
cross-functional teams to execute on near- and long-term strategic
initiatives has contributed to the success of XRG over the last six
years. We are confident he is the right leader to take XRG, and its
distinguished brands, through this next phase of growth,” said
James Zenni, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZCG.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mike to further
strengthen XRG’s reputation for bold innovation and customer
service while driving success across the platform.”
“At XRG, our brands have been pivotal in transforming the
Mexican dining landscape across the U.S.,” Mr. Johnson said. “I am
thrilled to continue to work with Jim and the exceptional XRG
leadership team in this new role and to further expand our
platform, enhance our incredible brands, and deliver flavorful food
and top-tier dining experiences to the more than 10 million guests
we serve each year.”
About Xperience Restaurant Group
Xperience Restaurant Group (XRG) is a leading casual and fine
dining operator having iconic brands that serve unique experiences,
great food, and unparalleled beverage offerings. Through its bold
leadership, innovation and brand development XRG has transformed
the U.S. Mexican dining landscape with its origination of Taco
Tuesday, tableside presentations, and pioneering cocktail program.
For over 65 years XRG’s brands have become synonymous with being
the best-in-category with recent accolades including Best Mexican
Restaurants, Best Taco Tuesday, and Best Happy Hours in various
media outlets throughout the country. XRG currently operates over
60 locations, has 4,000 team members and serves over 10 million
guests annually.
XRG Concepts include Acapulco, Chevys Fresh Mex, El Torito, El
Torito Grill, Las Brisas, Who Song & Larry’s, Sinigual, SOL
Cocina, Solita, Rio Mambo, The RIM Scratch Craft Eats and Cal Mex
Cantina.
For more information, please visit www.xperiencerg.com.
XRG is a portfolio company of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C., the
private equity fund management arm of Z Capital Group, L.L.C.
(“ZCG”). ZCG is a leading privately held merchant bank.
About ZCG
ZCG is a leading, privately held merchant bank comprised of
private markets asset management, business consulting services,
technology development and solutions.
ZCG’s investors are some of the largest and most sophisticated
global institutional investors including pension funds, endowments,
foundations, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and insurance
companies.
For almost 30 years, ZCG Principals have invested tens of
billions in capital and have industry leading track records in
private equity and credit.
ZCG has a global team comprised of over 400 professionals. For
more information, please visit www.zcg.com.
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