In the wild world of Tijuana Flats, where flavors are bold and the atmosphere's hotter than a jalapeño, the team leading the fiesta is just as spicy. They aren’t your average execs - they have all the right stuff to make this Tex-Mex-For-All brand sizzle with success. Sit tight and grab a margarita, as we introduce you to the hotshots that keep our Tijuana train on track.
Joe Christina is our awesome CEO, boasting a whopping 40 years of expertise in the restaurant biz. Prior to Tijuana Flats, Joe was the head honcho at Church’s Texas Chicken, taking system-wide sales beyond the $1.2 billion mark. Add to that, his 28 years with the Burger King system, managing a division worth $2 billion in sales and serving as a franchise owner. So, it’s safe to say Joe’s track record is hotter than a Carolina Reaper when it comes to delivering sustained revenue and profit growth. When he’s not leading the team, chances are you’ll find him at Flats for some Tijuana Tuesdaze dos tacos.
Say hola to Christine Fields, our VP of Human Resources & People Development. With 18 years of HR expertise, she’s the secret sauce behind Tijuana Flats’ high-performing, motivated workforce. From talent management to employee engagement, Christine knows how to keep our team firing on all cylinders. Oh, and did we mention that she not only has served as the President of the Tijuana Flats Just in Queso Foundation but she has been on their board since 2008? As well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association for 6 years! Christine is not just about work though, she also loves a good book, music, spending time with loved ones and family burrito night every Throwback Thursdaze at Flats.
Meet our maestro of marketing, Curtis Cattanach, the VP of Marketing who’s bringing the heat to Tijuana Flats. He’s the strategic mind propelling all of our marketing efforts, from advertising and public relations to social media and digital campaigns. With over 15 years of experience in both B2C and B2B brand marketing and management, Curtis has cooked up some killer campaigns, demonstrating a proven track record of driving revenue growth and brand awareness for well-known brands such as Marco’s Pizza, The Coca-Cola Company and Darden Restaurants. If you’re looking for Curtis, try a Tijuana Flats around lunchtime. He’s sure to be smashing a chimichanga or some nachos while brainstorming our next marketing move.
Jamie Cecil, our VP of Development and Franchise Operations, is the trailblazer leading our franchise expansion across the Southeast. As Tijuana Flats looks for franchise partners for the first time in 15 years, Jamie is just the man to spearhead the mission. With over 30 years of industry experience and senior roles at big-name brands like FSC Franchise Co, Steak ‘n Shake, Tavern Restaurant Group and Quaker Steak & Lube under his belt, Jamie isn’t just opening locations, he’s working to make Tijuana Flats a household name from Florida throughout the Southeast and beyond. Jamie likes to eat on the go and can often be seen making deals holding a quesadilla in one hand, phone in the other.
As our Senior VP of Finance, Casey Rees makes sure everything adds up when it comes to dollars and cents, ensuring that Tijuana Flats continues to thrive financially. With over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting and analysis, you could say Casey is a financial whiz. Before joining the team, he held key positions in prominent companies such as Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery and Darden Restaurants, where he honed his skills in financial management and analysis. Away from the spreadsheets and financial reports, Casey is known for his love of Tex-Mex and can often be found sampling the latest offerings at Flats, making sure the food tastes as good as the financial results look.