22 September 2022

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc
("Tortilla" or the "Group")

Appointment of Non-Executive Director

Following its first successful year as a PLC, Tortilla, the largest and most successful fast-casual Mexican restaurant group in the UK, is pleased to announce two Board changes to support its next chapter of growth.

1. The appointment of Francesca Tiritiello as a new independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 20 September. 

Francesca brings a wealth of business development, franchise, finance and M&A experience and she has been involved in the successful expansion of many branded businesses across the European QSR market, across both advisory and senior finance positions.

Francesca is currently a Partner and Co-Founder of Kikkirossi, a European boutique advisory firm specialising in international franchise and brand development.  Previously, she has held a number of director and CFO roles in European hospitality businesses, including eight years at Yum! Brands Inc., the owner and operator of household names including KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, where she held European CFO and Commercial Director positions.

Francesca will take over as Chair of the Remuneration Committee from Laurence Keen. 

2. The appointment of Laurence Keen as Senior Independent Director (SID).

Laurence's skills as the CFO of Hollywood Bowl PLC have transferred this year to make him a highly effective PLC Non-Executive Board member for Tortilla and he will now take on these SID responsibilities as well as continuing to Chair the Audit Committee.

Emma Woods, Chair of Tortilla, commented:

"We are really delighted that Francesca will be joining the Board of Tortilla. She brings huge insight in successfully operating, developing and franchising restaurant brands across markets, and I have no doubt that her experience will prove invaluable during this period of exciting growth for Tortilla, both in the UK and internationally as we look to expand in line with our long-term growth strategy. I am also particularly pleased to be able to strengthen the diversity of the Tortilla Board with such a talented woman."

Francesca Tiritiello, Non-Executive Director, added:

"I am very pleased to be joining the Board of Tortilla. The Group has an outstanding brand, a strong proposition and a really exciting opportunity to expand both across the UK and internationally.

I look forward to working alongside the senior team and contributing my experience and insight to support the business in achieving its significant growth potential."

The following additional information is provided in accordance with Rule 17 and paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Francesca Tiritiello's (aged 49) directorships in the last five years are as follows:

Current directorships and partnerships:

Kikkirossi Sàrl

AC-Koncept Sàrl

Koccamia Sàrl

Past directorships and partnerships held within the last 5 years:

IT-Koncept SA

Business-Koncept Sàrl

HR-Koncept Sàrl

Ms. Tiritiello does not currently own any securities in the Company.

There are no further disclosures required in accordance with Rule 17 or Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

ENQUIRIES

For further information, visit tortillagroup.co.uk

About Tortilla Mexican Grill plc

Tortilla is the largest and most successful fast-casual Mexican restaurant group in the UK specialising in the sale of freshly made Californian-inspired Mexican cuisine. The Group had 84 sites worldwide as of 3 July 2022, comprising 68 sites in the UK operated by the Group, four sites franchised to SSP Group in the UK, four sites franchised to Compass Group UK & Ireland and eight franchised sites in the Middle East.

The Group was founded in 2007 by Brandon Stephens, originally from California who, upon his arrival in London in 2003, found it difficult to satisfy his desire for quality burritos and tacos. As a result, Brandon established Tortilla with a mission of offering customers freshly prepared, customisable, and authentic Californian-inspired Mexican food.

The brand is synonymous with an energetic, vibrant culture, and with providing a great value-for-money proposition. It embraces fast-growing sector trends (including eating out, healthy eating, provenance, ethnic cuisine, delivery) across a variety of locations, through a differentiated product offering which is popular with a broad customer base, and a clearly defined multi-channel marketing strategy. It benefits from flexible site locations and formats, and a scalable central infrastructure.