Pizza Patrón Names Estrada President

Oct. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- DALLAS –  Pizza Patrón, the nation’s number one Latin pizza brand, announced today that it has appointed an executive with extensive Latin business experience as the company’s new president.

Guillermo Estrada, who has been executive vice president since 2008, said he plans to take steps immediately to prepare the brand for its next level of growth. Estrada will report directly to Antonio Swad, company founder. Swad will continue as the company’s chief executive but will turn the day-to-day operating role of president to Estrada.

Estrada, who served with Seminis Vegetable Seeds based in Oxnard, Calif. before joining Pizza Patrón, will head the company’s leadership team.

Estrada also served as International Sales Manager for Tyson Foods overseeing accounts throughout Latin America and in various management positions with such companies as Marsh & McLennan Companies in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Estrada was born in Mexico and received his master’s degree in Business from the University of Texas at Dallas.

“The Latin life is very unique and we are re-defining our strategy to bring this experience closer to the marketplace,” said Guillermo Estrada, president of Pizza Patrón. “We are the first truly Latino brand, and this is what separates us from our competitors. We will continue finding ways to celebrate the Hispanic heritage in our stores and to provide this experience to everyone who wants to enjoy a slice of this rich culture.”

The 23-year-old company based in Dallas has gone from virtual anonymity with four locations in 2003, to establishing itself as the nation’s top Latin brand in the pizza segment, with 92 restaurants in markets spanning from California to Florida, in 2009.

“We could not have custom built a better man for the job -- as president, Guillermo brings together all the components necessary for our company to achieve even greater results,” said Antonio Swad, founder of Pizza Patrón. “He is a natural leader with energy, enthusiasm and vast ability. Pizza Patrón's future is brighter than ever, our brand focus is sharper than ever, and now our executive team is better than ever.”

Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been celebrating the diversity of the Latin culture and lifestyle in its stores. Today, the company operates 92 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. Approximately 93 percent of Pizza Patrón restaurants in the U.S. are owned and operated by franchisees.

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About Pizza Patrón - Pizza Patrón was founded by Antonio Swad in 1986. Since franchising began in March 2003, the brand has grown from four locations in Dallas to 92 locations in six states, with more than 40 additional stores under development. Pizza Patrón features festive, Latin-influenced pizza stores that are community-based in Spanish-speaking or predominately Hispanic neighborhoods. All pizza dough is made fresh throughout the evening; no preservatives are added or needed. The sauce is prepared fresh in the stores from crushed Roma tomatoes and marinated with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Only 100 percent mozzarella cheese is used on all pizzas. X-Large pizzas are offered at prices as low as $6 for cheese and one topping and $4 for the same medium AMIGO PIZZA™. An X-Large 'La Patrona' deluxe pizza with everything is priced as low as $8.

For more information, visit http://www.pizzapatron.com/.