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 How it all started… the short version
In the late 70s
John Pelletier and David Pelletier worked for Chuck’s Steak House
restaurants. With the steak
business decline in the early 80s, a number of the Chuck’s
restaurants were converted to a Mexican concept. John, who by
that time was the General Manager for the Chuck’s in Concord, NH and
Shawn Joyce, a cook and waiter, helped to transform the
restaurant into Tio Juan’s Mexican Restaurant & Watering
Hole.
In 1984, John
bought Tio Juan’s from the Chuck's organization. On his travels throughout
New England, John met Stan Bagley, owner of a steakhouse named
Barstan’s in Orono, ME. There was chemistry between the two
restaurateurs and they quickly formed a partnership. A few
months later, Barstan’s became Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
& Watering Hole. With John’s energy and passion for the
concept, combined with Stan’s construction ability and eye for
detail, the two partners forged ahead with plans for growth.
After
working with Chuck’s in Mansfield CT, and several other
restaurants, Dave Pelletier joined his brother in Concord in 1987
to help with the growth of
Margaritas. Through the 80’s and 90’s, John led the people
that developed and built the foundation of the Margaritas
concept and brand while Dave set up company-wide operations.
During that time, Shawn worked with John, Dave and Stan in many
capacities while attending school. After graduating from college
and working a few years outside of Margaritas, Shawn reconnected
with Margaritas in 1991 to help expand the company. By 1993
John’s restaurant group had eight restaurants in Maine, New
Hampshire and Connecticut. It was that time that they formed Margaritas
Management Group, Inc., which today provides the infrastructure
and support for existing and future Margaritas.
In
2001, after several years as CFO, Shawn Joyce became President
and CEO of the company overseeing continued growth including expansion
into Massachusetts. In January 2008, Bob Hoffmeister,
veteran restaurateur from Applebee's and 99 Restaurants,
became the new
president and COO. He continues to grow the
company, strengthen the brand and develop a vision for
innovation and success in the coming years. Meanwhile,
John and Dave continue play a role in company growth and
Margaritas commitment to community and the culture of
Mexico.
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