Del Taco CEO Steps Down, Successor Named

Del Taco has a new executive at the helm after John Cappasola, president and CEO, stepped down.

Jack in the Box, the parent company of Del Taco, announced on Aug. 5 that it promoted the taco chain’s COO, Chad Gretzema, to Del Taco president, replacing Cappasola. Cappasola worked for Del Taco for nearly 14 years and left the chain to helm Nothing Bundt Cakes as CEO, according to his LinkedIn page.

Gretzema has been with Del Taco since 2012. In addition to most recently serving as COO, he also held the roles of senior vice president of strategic planning and innovation and senior vice president of operations support and engagement at Del Taco.

He has over 25 years of food and restaurant industry experience, working in operations, training and marketing roles at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Noodles and Co. and Oscar Mayer Foods.

“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,” says Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris in a press release. “He has been a champion for Del Taco operators, franchisees and guests as the COO, and I am confident his proven leadership and strategic vision will further drive our combined company to the next phase of growth.”

Jack in the Box announced last December that it was acquiring Del Taco for $575 million. Since the acquisition, Harris says Gretzema has been “an incredible partner in bringing our two brands together.”

Del Taco has approximately 600 restaurants in 16 states.