(La Porte, Texas) October 11, 2021 – Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen announced today that founder and owner, Russell Ybarra of Ybarra Franchising Group, has acquired Managing Partner and Franchisee Joel Perkins’ five Gringo’s locations. The merger will keep the Tex-Mex food franchise under the Gringo’s Corporation and will continue implementing its core values and commitment to reinvesting in their team members and the local community. 

The transition, which began in July, has been smooth for all parties, including the on-site team members. “We are humbled and grateful to be able to keep the locations that have been instrumental in the growth within the Gringo’s family. We welcome the team members that serve our guests, and the communities in which they serve,” says Ybarra. Perkins, who started with Gringo’s as a General Manager, became a franchisee and has been an integral force in the company’s growth. Perkins plans to retire after a multi-decade career in the restaurant business. 

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen has been serving residents of Texas since 1993 and has grown to fourteen locations. Gringo’s operates full-service family dining restaurants in Houston and continues to grow, with a new location coming to Bryan-College Station in the Spring of 2022. Each Gringo’s is unique with handcrafted murals, original décor pieces, and a flare where the Old West meets Mexico. However, the quality of food, guest services, and atmosphere continue to make Gringo’s a mainstay in the restaurant industry.

The acquisition will keep all team members and management, approximately 450, from the five locations: The Woodlands, Champions, Spring, Cypress, and Fuqua.  Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen has been successful in dine-in, catering, ordering online, and curbside to-go options. Community driven programs will remain unfazed, such as “Spirit Days” and other local school or organization collaborations. 

Ybarra opened the “The Original” Gringo’s in Pearland 28 years ago and created the corporation’s sister concept restaurant, Jimmy Changas, in 2011. “Our company is unique because of our people — team & guests; and our focus has always been people over profits.  So it is such a natural business move to bring in these locations who have each been an important part of the journey of where we are today,” says Heather McKeon, Chief Marketing Officer. 

Visit any one of the Gringo’s locations throughout the Houston area, or for more information about Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen, go to https://www.gringostexmex.com