News

Former Taco Bell exec assumes top legal spot at El Pollo Loco

August 14, 2019

Fire-grilled chicken QSR, El Pollo Loco, Inc. named former Taco Bell executive, Jason Weintraub, as its chief legal officer, effective Aug. 29. He was most recently vice president, general counsel and secretary for BSH Home Appliance Corporation in California, a news release said, but previously led the transactional legal function at Taco Bell.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Jason as our new chief legal officer and member of our leadership team," El Pollo Loco President and CEO Bernard Acoca, said in the release. "His previous experience in franchise matters will be invaluable as we seek to grow the brand in new geographies and look to forge even tighter bonds with our franchise partners."

Aside from the transactional legal function at Taco Bell, Weintraub developed and implemented a brand licensing program, and served as head of Business Development for Taco Bell International. He also structured international franchise partnerships yielding a 600% increase in new unit development within two years and supported the brand's launch in multiple new markets.

At BSH, Weintraub led the Legal, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management functions, including overseeing a deal team for multiple strategic acquisitions, and supporting partnerships to grow the company.

"I'm excited to join the impressive team at El Pollo Loco," said Mr. Weintraub. "Having the chance to lead the legal function for such an iconic brand fulfills a long-standing career goal."

Weintraub is the most recent of several leadership appointments at the brand, including that of COO Miguel Lozano, CMO Hector Munoz and Chief People Officer Jennifer Jaffe. The brand has more than 480 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Louisiana.