Lake Forest-based Del Taco LLC has named a new chief executive as its former boss is leaving to run Texas-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent company to TGI Friday’s and Pick Up Stix.
Paul Murphy, previously chief executive at Colorado’s Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, has been named Del Taco’s chairman and chief executive.
Murphy will replaces Nick Shepherd, who ran Del Taco as chairman and chief executive of Del Taco’s parent company, Nashville-based Sagittarius Brands Inc.
Shepherd is departing Sagittarius in February to take over Carlson Restaurants.
He took over Sagittarius in last March.
Shepherd took a more involved role in Del Taco in November when former president and chief operating officer Shirlene Lopez left her position.
He moved and made his home in Laguna Beach last year.
Murphy will take over Del Taco in mid-February and report directly to the Sagittarius board of directors.
