Lake Forest-based Del Taco, which was acquired earlier this year by San Diego’s Jack-in-the-Box (Nasdaq: JACK), has promoted Chief Operating Officer Chad Gretzema to be the chain’s top executive.
Gretzema, who is called the brand president, replaces previous chief executive John Cappasola, who stepped down after the Jack in the Box $585 million acquisition.
“Chad has been an instrumental part of the executive team at Del Taco that has compiled an impressive eight consecutive years of positive franchise same-store sales,” Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris said in a statement.
Gretzema joined Del Taco back in 2012 and has more than 25 years of food and restaurant industry experience with previous roles at Noodles & Company and Oscar Mayer Foods.
Del Taco ranks as the 6th largest restaurant chain based in Orange County, with an estimated $918 million in 2021 systemwide sales.
