TITLE: Honoring Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa for his career in the restaurant industry.

SUMMARY: Honoring Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa for his career in the restaurant industry.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Since entering the restaurant industry more than four decades ago, Juan Francisco Ochoa has built an impressive legacy of success as a businessman and restaurateur; and WHEREAS, "Pancho" Ochoa founded El Pollo Loco in his native city of Guasave, Mexico, in 1975, featuring a menu based on family recipes; within just four years, the business expanded into a thriving chain of 85 restaurants throughout Mexico, and in 1980, the first El Pollo Loco location in the United States opened its doors in Los Angeles; the chain continued to grow, encompassing more than a dozen U.S. locations over the next two years, and in 1983 the company was sold to Denny's; and WHEREAS, This dynamic entrepreneur chose Laredo as the place for his next venture, Taco Palenque, which opened in 1987; the Taco Palenque chain has since expanded throughout South Texas, and in 2005 Mr. Ochoa made his first foray into full-service restaurants with the establishment of Palenque Grill, a brand that today includes locations in Laredo, McAllen, and San Antonio; and WHEREAS, Mr. Ochoa is supported in all his endeavors by his loving wife, Fl rida, and he has had the pleasure of seeing his children and grandchildren join him in his ventures; his accomplishments as an entrepreneur have contributed to the creation of thousands of jobs in Mexico and in the United States, and in 2011 he had the honor of being named the BusinessPerson of the Year by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS, Francisco Ochoa has demonstrated the values of hard work, perseverance, and resourcefulness in the pursuit of his goals, creating a solid foundation for the next generation of Ochoa family business leaders, and his lifetime achievements are truly deserving of special commendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby honor Juan Francisco Ochoa for his successful career in the restaurant industry and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Ochoa as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Mu oz, Jr. Raymond Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 279 was adopted by the House on February 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House