Food Concepts International, parent company of Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy restaurants, today announced the addition of Dennis Lombardi to its board of directors.

Mr. Lombardi, one of the most highly respected leaders in the foodservice industry, serves as Executive Vice President, Foodservice Strategies, for WD Partners where he provides research, growth strategies and concept positioning for chain restaurants. Before joining WD Partners, Lombardi was an Executive Vice President with the leading foodservice consulting firm, Technomic, Inc., and served as Director of the firm's restaurant consulting practice for 13 years.

"Dennis Lombardi's leadership experience and recognition as a restaurant industry 'guru' will be a tremendous asset to our board of directors," said Bob Lin, President of FCI. "We are looking forward to the insights and perspective he will bring to our company as we continue to expand nationally."

With over 35 years of consulting and research experience in the foodservice and hospitality industries, Lombardi is a frequent speaker at major restaurant and hospitality conferences and seminars, and he is regularly quoted in both national and international publications.

Lombardi also serves on the board of El Pollo Loco, Inc. and previously served as a board member of Qdoba, Inc. He serves on the editorial review board for Journal of Foodservice Business Research and on the Advisory Board of the University of Central Florida's Chain Restaurant School. Lombardi received a bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

About Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy Restaurants

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has continually been on the leading edge of menu creativity, combining consistency in food quality, colorful plate presentations, superior service and an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Abuelo's restaurants, which were listed in Restaurants & Institutions' "Top 400 Sales Growth Leaders" annual ranking are owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas. Abuelo's was also ranked as one of the top chain restaurants in America, the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and highlighted as one of seven restaurant chains offering the best combination of price and quality in a recent survey by a leading national consumer magazine.

Abuelo's currently has locations in Texas in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, College Station, Hurst, Lewisville, Lubbock, Midland, East Plano and West Plano; Bricktown Oklahoma City, North Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; Chandler, Peoria and Scottsdale, Ariz.; Rogers, Ark.; Wichita, Kan.; Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Beavercreek and Warrensville Heights, Ohio; Bartlett and Knoxville, Tenn.; Kansas City, Mo.; Traders Point/Indianapolis, Carmel, Evansville and Merrillville, Ind.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Crestview Hills and Lexington, Ky.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Madison, Wisc. and Roanoke, Va. Additionally, Abuelo's has a restaurant under construction in Lakeland, Fla. More information is available at www.abuelos.com.