DALLAS – Hope Diaz has been appointed chief marketing officer of Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, effective Sept. 16.

Diaz joins Fiesta from Restaurant Brands International Inc., where she has been the chief marketing officer of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for the past two years. Before that, she spent 10 years in leadership positions for the restaurant company’s Burger King brand, most recently as vice-president of global innovation, insights and analytics. During her tenure with Burger King, Diaz was also senior director for global consumer insights, director of marketing communications, director of consumer insights and senior manager of consumer insights. Before joining Restaurant Brands in 2007, she was the director of research and strategic planning at MTV Networks Latin America.

“We are thrilled that Hope has joined Fiesta,” said Richard Stockinger, president and CEO of Fiesta Restaurant Group. “She possesses outstanding leadership capabilities and brings to us significant experience and expertise in marketing and brand analytics, which she previously utilized to successfully evolve Popeyes’ and Burger King’s brand identities. Being a Miami native, Hope is very familiar with our Pollo Tropical brand and its potential. Her initial efforts will be focused on bringing its marketing and branding initiatives to the next level.”

Additionally, Dirk Montgomery has been named chief financial officer for Fiesta Restaurant Group.

Montgomery was most recently CFO for Hooters International and previously spent seven years as CFO at Bloomin’ Brands Inc., operator of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Earlier in his career, Montgomery was CFO of ConAgra Foods Retail Group and held several senior management positions with Sara Lee Corp.

“Dirk is a uniquely qualified individual and seasoned leader who brings to us an impressive track record of strengthening organizations and driving value through strategic focus, operational improvement and talent development,” Stockinger said. “His impressive resume includes leadership roles at a variety of public and private companies, and he has extensive experience in strategy, supply chain management, field operations and capital markets transactions. Dirk is highly respected within the investment community and is well-suited to join our executive management team as we leverage the foundation we have built through our renewal plan to improve sales and profitability in the years to come.