Taco Cabana history

Started as a taco stand in 1978, the company pioneered the concept of "patio cafes," which are semi-enclosed patio dining areas decorated in festive Mexican themes.

Finally, in 1986, Felix Stehling's two brothers left the company, and the founder of Taco Cabana was once again solely in charge.

Hired as the executive vice-president in 1987, Cervera was responsible not only for implementing a strategic expansion plan that Stehling and he had conceived, but the new manager was also responsible for many of the day-to-day operations at the firm.

By 1990, the company had added a number of new restaurants to its chain and began expanding into neighboring states.

The company was now experiencing explosive growth with a private placement in 1991 and the purchase of four restaurants owned and operated by Sombrero Rosa.

Another private placement was made the following year, with the acquisition occurring during the early part of 1992.

There was no doubt that Cervera had done his job well, and, assured that the company was in good hands, Stehling resigned as chairman of the company in 1994.

In 1995, Cervera resigned from his position at Taco Cabana and became the new president of the House of Blues restaurant chain.

Near the end of 1996, under Clark's direction Taco Cabana opened up a new type of restaurant in Dallas to test non-traditional market locations and prototype units for smaller, community-based, markets.

——, "Taco Cabana Unveils New Look, Eyes Expansion," Nation's Restaurant News, April 19, 1999.

By 2000, Taco Cabana had spent nearly $30 million upgrading and revamping its image.

"Carrols Finishes $153M Taco Cabana Buyout," Nation's Restaurant News , January 8, 2001.

In order to remain competitive in the fast casual segment of the restaurant industry, Taco Cabana began to develop a new store prototype in 2003 that would feature eight-foot char-grills in the restaurants.