Franchise Association names restaurant executive to
board of directors.
The International Franchise Association's recent annual
convention included opportunities for many franchise executives to
advance their brand's operation. During the convention, a Los
Angeles-based executive was chosen to join the leadership ranks of the
nearly 50-year-old organization to enhance its operation. ADIR
Restaurants Corp. Pres. and COO Jose J. Cofino was elected as a member
of the IFA's board of directors.
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Cofino manages the master franchise for Guatemalan-based Polio
Campero in six western states and opened its first u.s. location in
2002. He has established systems and processes at ADIR to promote the
growth of Pollo Campero beyond the Central-American market such as
building an executive team, investing in technology, developing
operating systems and establishing a process for sourcing, selecting and
constructing new sites.
Prior to ADIR Restaurants, Cofino owned the management investment
firm TruCo LLC which specialized in strategic planning for small,
emerging companies from a variety of industries. He was also CEO of
fresh ground software LLC and Counterpoint Systems, Inc.
Previously, Cofino served as an executive with several large
corporations. As vice pres. of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.,
he was responsible for developing the operations for entertainment and
dining complex Downtown Disney. When Cofino served as president of
PepsiCo Restaurants International in Brazil, he planned and executed a
turn-around plan that resulted in increased sales of 35 percent for each
brand. He has also worked with Taco Bell and Holiday Corp.
Cofino serves on the board of directors of the IFA Diversity
Institute and is a member of the Minorities in Franchising Committee.
Polio Campero is a participant in the IFA Educational Foundation's
MinorityFran program, which aims to increase the numbers and success of
minorities in franchising at all levels.
Born in Cuba, Cofino immigrated to the United States in 1968. He
speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese.
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