Uncle Julio's Restaurant Group named Scott Lawton its CEO and RJ Thomas its president and chief operating officer.

A restaurant industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Lawton co-founded bartaco, a coastally-inspired restaurant serving upscale street food with 29 locations in 13 states. He subsequently served as president and chief operating officer of Barteca until its sale to Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group in 2018. Lawton re-joined bartaco as CEO after the company was acquired by L Catterton, and he will continue in this role in addition to assuming the responsibilities of CEO of Uncle Julio's. Prior to joining Barteca in 2007, Lawton served as the Chief Operating Officer of Big Time Restaurant Group from 2000 to 2006.

Thomas also brings more than 20 years of restaurant industry leadership experience to Uncle Julio's. Most recently, he served as president and COO of King's Seafood Company, overseeing the operations for all 24 locations.

Uncle Julio's was acquired by L Catterton in October 2017.