Taco Bamba Names Michael Pereira Chief Executive Officer
Taco Bamba, the irreverent, chef-driven taqueria founded by Chef Victor Albisu, has appointed Michael Pereira as Chief Executive Officer. Pereira brings more than three decades of leadership in the restaurant industry to guide the 16-location concept through its next chapter of expansion.
Most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Velvet Taco, Pereira has built his career developing high-performing restaurant teams and scaling innovative concepts. His 25-year tenure at The Cheesecake Factory saw him rise from manager to Vice President of Operations, including serving as the opening General Manager of the 20,000-square-foot Grand Lux Cafe at The Venetian in Las Vegas. He also held leadership roles at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. At Taco Bamba, Pereira joins chef Albisu and Taco Bamba’s investment partners at Investors Management Corporation (IMC) during a period of expansion.
“What I love about joining at this early stage of growth is the ability to create a foundation to take this remarkable brand from 16 units to a national household name,” said Pereira. “I believe Taco Bamba has all the bones, from the culinary to the innovation, to show meaningful growth over the next few years. I was lucky enough to work with David Overton, founder of The Cheesecake Factory, earlier in my career, and being able to partner with Victor, a chef who is just as ambitious and driven, is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Pereira’s mandate centers on developing talent and building systems for scale while maintaining what makes each Taco Bamba location unique. “It’s about turning our operators into restaurateurs,” he said. “Each restaurant having its own identity and unique tacos is core to the brand, and that’s imperative as we continue to scale.”
Chef and Founder Victor Albisu, who launched Taco Bamba in 2013 and will continue to lead the brand’s culinary and creative direction, tapped Pereira to lead the company’s operational and strategic growth. “Michael understands what it takes to preserve a brand’s soul while building the infrastructure for serious expansion,” said Albisu. “He’s done it before, and he gets what we’re building here.”
Taco Bamba began its quest for expansion in 2021 when it partnered with Raleigh-based holding company, Investors Management Corporation (IMC).
“The Taco Bamba team has created an authentic brand with boundless energy and a deep connection to their guests,” said Stuart Frantz, President and CEO of IMC. “The company went to extraordinary depths to find an individual who connected with the essence of the Bamba brand and had the track record and skillset to build upon Taco Bamba’s momentum. We found this person in Michael Pereira. Michael’s track record of building people-first cultures and scaling operations makes him the ideal leader to take Taco Bamba to the next level while maintaining its distinctive culture.”
Read the full announcement here.
Executive Search Partnership: Taco Bamba
Partner Tim Conti is proud to partner with Taco Bamba on this Chief Executive Officer appointment.
Founded in Falls Church, Va. in 2013 by Chef Victor Albisu, Taco Bamba is a wildly popular chain of taquerias that has developed a cult following for its counter-culture brand. The brand is known for offering a unique menu at each location tailored to its neighborhood. The company is run by a team of talented and committed chefs who create memorable experiences by delivering on the unexpected through generosity, flavor, and creativity. In 2019, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) awarded Taco Bamba Favorite Fast Bites, and in 2020 RAMW named a Taco Bamba team member Employee of the Year. QSR Magazine included Taco Bamba on the 40/40 List for 2020: America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals.
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