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Velvet Taco names Clay Dover CEO

Fast-casual brand promotes president to new role

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 26, 2019

1 Min Read
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Clay Dover Velvet Taco CEO Aug2019.jpgVelvet Taco has promoted president Clay Dover to the new role of CEO, the company said Monday.

Dover had served as president of the Plano, Texas-based fast-casual brand since 2017. The company has 11 units in Texas and Illinois and plans to open in Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C.

The premium taco brand was founded in 2011 by Front Burner Restaurants LP and received a “significant strategic growth investment” from private-equity firm L Catterton in September 2016.

“With a distinctly broad appeal, Velvet Taco has developed a loyal following across the country and is poised for significant growth in the coming years,” said Chris Roberts, partner with the L Catterton Growth Fund, in a statement.  “We see a tremendous opportunity to expand Velvet Taco’s presence in new and existing markets and look forward to Clay leading this differentiated brand.”

Dover said he was excited with the opportunity to lead Velvet Taco as CEO. “I look forward to continuing the progress we have made by creating a truly unique guest experience,” he said. “I appreciate the hard work of our team and believe that Velvet Taco is well positioned for future growth.”

The company said it has plans to open five more restaurants this year.

Velvet Taco was named a Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concept in 2016.

Related:Velvet Taco offers ‘WTF’ item 52 times a year

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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