Cilantro Taco Grill, the nation’s largest authentic Mexican franchise, has hired Camila Vicens as Director of Compliance to further accelerate their rapid franchise growth. We’ve sat down with Camila to dive into why she joined the Cilantro team, what her background is, and how she’ll support Cilantro franchisees.
What do you do at Cilantro Taco Grill?
As Director of Compliance, I work directly with our executive and legal teams to ensure our partnerships and operations are compliant with all local, state, and federal laws. This involves developing and implementing compliance procedures, conducting audits, and overseeing employee management at large. Additionally, I am responsible for staying informed about market trends and legislative changes that may impact our business. Through my role, I help ensure that CTG can grow effectively as an operation as we continue our franchise expansion.
What is your background, and how did you come to join CTG?
I began working in the hospitality industry at 15 when my parents became franchisees. Ever since then I have had a deep passion for hospitality and wanted to merge my academic pursuits during my time at Northwestern University with my work in the industry. Having spent much of my undergraduate studying the intersection of law, ethics, and business, I found this role to be a perfect fit between my intellectual background and my love for restaurants. I joined the team five months ago after having worked previously with our Managing Director, Leonid Girik, who brought me on to help execute CTGs inspiring mission.
What aspects of CTG do you resonate with the most?
As the daughter of Venezuelan immigrants, the dedication to maintaining the authenticity of the Jaliscan tradition truly resonates with me. We often see Latin food become commercialized and lose all sense of cultural heritage. Our respect for the traditions that brought us the cuisine we serve makes me confident that Cilantro Taco Grill is a mission I want to be a part of.
What are your dreams/big vision for your role in CTG?
My vision for Cilantro is for us to see the booming success that other Mexican QSR restaurants have experienced and stake a meaningful market share. With our young and agile corporate team, I am confident we will succeed in bringing customers food they will continue to love and employees a welcoming space that they can thrive in.
How do you think CTG compares to other Mexican franchises in the space?
I think we have an incredibly unique young team that understands how to succeed in this crowded space. Ultimately, we understand the importance of our employees and their satisfaction. We work daily at the corporate level to ensure that we reward employees for sharing our passion for our mission.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CILANTRO TACO GRILL