Abuelo's Restaurants Go Trans Fat Free

LUBBOCK, Texas-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Abuelo’s, one of the nation’s leading Mexican dining concepts, announced today it is converting all of its restaurants in the United States to a zero grams trans fat cooking oil. The new oil, supplied by Ventura Foods, will replace the oil previously used in all 38 Abuelo’s restaurants nationwide.

The conversion, which follows extensive testing of oil options, has already begun in most Abuelo’s restaurants and is scheduled to be completed companywide by early August, making Abuelo’s the first national, full-service casual dining Mexican food restaurant to make a trans fat free cooking oil commitment. Abuelo’s will use Ventura’s trans fat free oil for cooking its tortilla chips, taco shells, burritos, French fries, chicken strips and other items.

“We have been testing trans fat free oil in several stores and have been delighted by the outstanding guest response,” said Bob Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company. “In tests on several core items, we found consumers readily accepted the items cooked in trans fat free oil, either not noticing any differences or, in some cases, noting improvement in these items. Abuelo’s is committed to providing the best flavors and freshest ingredients in all our dishes. We are proud to offer a healthier oil that provides the same great tastes our guests expect from Abuelo’s.”

About Abuelo’s

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 recently 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 rating magazine.

Abuelo’s currently has 38 locations in 15 states throughout the nation. More information and a listing of restaurant locations are available at www.Abuelos.com.

About Ventura Foods, LLC

Ventura Foods, formed in 1996 as a result of a joint venture between Wilsey Foods and Holsum Foods, has served the foodservice industry for over a century supplying edible oil products that have evolved into a myriad of products including shortenings, dressings, margarine, sauces, and flavor bases. Ventura Foods has developed efficiencies and economies of scale that provide customers with products, services and programs that enhance and grow their sales. With 13 plants located around the country, Ventura is committed to delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. Additional information concerning Ventura Foods is available at www.venturafoods.com.

Food Concepts International, Lubbock

Melanie Carroll, 806-785-8686, ext. 149

or 806-438-2783

melaniec@food-concepts.com