• September 20, 2007

Del Taco has named Mimi Somerman to the newly created role of CMO.

Somerman, an industry veteran, most recently was SVP/marketing for Lake Forest, Calif.-based Johnny Rockets, where she led a successful effort to revitalize the brand. During her leadership, Johnny Rockets earned the Nation's Restaurant News "Hot Again!" award, developed a new menu strategy and achieved above segment average same stores sales growth.

At Del Taco, Somerman will report to Shirlene Lopez, president/COO.

Sharon Fogg, Del Taco's SVP/marketing, and the marketing and R&D team will report to Somerman in her new role.

Somerman began her career at Pepsi-Cola with marketing management responsibilities for the Pepsi and Mountain Dew brands. During this time, she was promoted to general management responsibility for several Pepsi-Cola markets in California.

She advanced from there to successful assignments such as VP/field marketing for Taco Bell and SVP/marketing for Coco's and Carrows.

On the agency side, Somerman's marketing experience includes a stint as SVP with Alcone Marketing Group, where she had responsibility for many brands, including Burger King, Evian and Oroweat.