Real Mex Restaurants is the parent company for several
chains
A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A c ...
of full-service
Mexican restaurants
Mexican may refer to:
Mexico and its culture
*Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America
** People
*** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants
*** Mexica, ancient indigenous peopl ...
in the United States. The company is headquartered in
Cypress, California
Cypress is a city in northwestern Orange County within Southern California. Its population was 50,151 at the 2020 census.
History
The first people living in the area now known as Cypress were the Gabrieleno, a Native American tribe of the Ton ...
and operates more than 120 full service Mexican restaurants under eight brand names.
History
The company claims its origin to Larry Cano who, in 1954 with the opening of the first
El Torito
El Torito (Spanish for "the little bull") is an American chain that serves Mexican food. El Torito operates 69 restaurants primarily in California.Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in 1960. In 1998, Acapulco became owned by the private equity firm Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., which expanded it into Real Mex Restaurants, acquiring
El Torito
El Torito (Spanish for "the little bull") is an American chain that serves Mexican food. El Torito operates 69 restaurants primarily in California.Chevy's Fresh Mex
Chevys Fresh Mex is an American chain of Mexican-style casual dining restaurants located in the United States. The chain was founded in 1986 by Warren Simmons in Alameda, California. The chain's headquarters are currently located in Cypress, Cali ...
and other Mexican full-service chains. The company's reach is now nationwide, and the company claims to be the largest Mexican restaurant chain in the United States.
In October 2011, the company filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Such reorganization, known as Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is available to every business, whe ...
. In February 2012, it was sold to a group of debt holders. The company is now owned by an investment group that includes Z Capital Partners.
Real Mex Restaurants portfolio includes:
El Torito
El Torito (Spanish for "the little bull") is an American chain that serves Mexican food. El Torito operates 69 restaurants primarily in California.Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina,
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Chevys Fresh Mex is an American chain of Mexican-style casual dining restaurants located in the United States. The chain was founded in 1986 by Warren Simmons in Alameda, California. The chain's headquarters are currently located in Cypress, Cali ...
, El Paso Cantina, Who Song and Larry's and the Southern California landmark Las Brisas of Laguna Beach.