Restaurant Association® to Honor Ralph Rubio as Restaurateur of the Year

 

CARLSBAD, Calif., July 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill® (RUBO), is proud to announce Ralph Rubio, who popularized the fish taco in the United States, and started the San Diego-based company in 1983, has been chosen by the California Restaurant Association® as "Restaurateur of the Year." The CRA honors individuals who have distinguished themselves through innovative restaurant designs and concepts and also have demonstrated commitment through educational or other community activities. Ralph Rubio, who co-founded Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill with his father, will be honored at this year's California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) "Hall of Fame" dinner. The 17th Annual dinner takes place Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. The evening event coincides with the opening day of CRA's Western Foodservice & Hospitality Exposition, which runs Aug. 20 through 22 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

 

"This is truly a tremendous honor for me and my family," said Ralph Rubio, co-founder and chairman, Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. "This is a testament to all Rubio's team member's dedication and efforts over the years."

With an extensive record of charitable and community involvement, particularly in the areas of literacy and education, Rubio, along with wife Dione, assisted in the development and opening of the Cabo Cafe, a fast-casual restaurant owned and operated by students of Monarch School -- a school for homeless children in the downtown San Diego area.

"This year's honoree, Ralph Rubio, exemplifies the innovative and giving spirit that is a hallmark of our industry," says CRA President and CEO Jot Condie. "The recognition by our Educational Foundation is most deserving and long overdue."

About Rubio's® Restaurants, Inc. Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill® (RUBO) is the innovator of the Affordable Fast Casual Fresh Mexican Grill segment. Fresh, flavorful, bold, distinctive Baja-inspired food is the hallmark of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill. Rubio's® success was built on the "World Famous Original Fish Taco" and has grown to include a variety of craveable, grilled foods featuring mahi-mahi, shrimp, all white meat chicken, lean carne asada (steak), and langostino lobster, slow-roasted carnitas (pork), fresh-made guacamole and our famous salsas. The Fresh & Affordable Menu(SM) includes Street Tacos(SM), Street Burritos(SM), salads and bowls, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, lower-fat, HealthMex® products with less than 20 percent of calories from fat, low-carb salads along with a variety of "every day affordable" Meal Deals(SM) and Mexican and domestic beer in most locations. Each restaurant design is reminiscent of Baja, Mexico's relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., Rubio's operates, licenses or franchises more than 150 restaurants in Calif., Ariz., Ore., Colo., Nev. and Utah. More information can be found at www.rubios.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:Stacey Ellis/Miaesha Campbell The Blaze Company 310/450-6060 sellis@blazecompany.com mcampbell@blazecompany.com

source: Rubio's Restaurants, Inc.

contact:Stacey Ellis, sellis@blazecompany.com, or Miaesha Campbell, mcampbell@blazecompany.com, both of The Blaze Company, +1-310-450-6060, for Rubio's Restaurants, Inc.

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