Operations

Tender Greens, Tocaya merge

istock

August 3, 2021

California-based fast casual concepts Tocaya and Tender Greens have merged, forming One Table Restaurant Brands. The combined company will own and operate 45 locations across California and Arizona, with plans for considerable growth and expansion.

"We have combined forces to build a remarkable team of industry leaders. We are excited to set the foundation for a great new chapter in the story of both best-in-class concepts," Tender Greens Founder Erik Oberholtzer said in a company press release. "This partnership, grounded in shared values, complementary attributes, and clear vision alignment, promises continued leadership in American food culture."

Founded in Los Angeles in 2006, Tender Greens operates 27 locations throughout California.

With its roots also firmly planted in the Golden State, Tocaya Modern Mexican was established by Tosh Berman in Los Angeles in 2016. Each of Tocaya's 18 locations is committed to delivering elevated experiences that make eating well effortless while creating differentiated hospitality experiences that fuel mind, body, and spirit, Tocaya founder Tosh Berman said in the release.

"Both our transitioning and President Mikey Tanha and I believe this merger will create the ideal platform to realize the full vision and potential of these two outstanding brands, " he said.

The combined company will include:

• Harald Herrmann, executive chairman (former CEO of Yard House and Mendocino Farms).
• Lina O'Connor, president and CFO (Former CFO of Tender Greens).
• Rudy Sugueti, COO (former COO of Tocaya and The Madera Group).
• Matt Smith, CMO (former CMO of Tocaya and The Madera Group).

The founders of Tender Greens and Tocaya, Erik Oberholzer and Tosh Berman will each serve on OTRB's board of directors, with Oberholzer providing guidance on culinary initiatives, and Berman providing expertise on creative vision. Investors from both concepts, including Alliance Consumer Growth, Union Square Hospitality Group (legacy Tender Greens investors), and Breakwater Management, as well as Michael Meldman and Schuyler Joyner (legacy Tocaya investors) will continue to be shareholders in the combined entity.

Over the past few years, both brands have been named to the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers.