CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.
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.