What's happening? Gil Pérez Grajales assumed the presidency of El Meson Sandwiches as part of a succession plan designed to strengthen the operational continuity of the Puerto Rican chain, El Meson announced in a statement. Pérez Grajales, who had been serving as executive vice president, now leads the company's daily operations and quality and service standards.
For his part, Felipe Pérez Grajales is stepping down from the presidency after 38 years at the helm and is leaving the company's board of directors. He will focus on expansion and real estate projects, both in Puerto Rico and outside the Island, and will remain active in key company initiatives and provide support to the executive group.
"This transition is part of an orderly and responsible plan to ensure stability and continuity, while we strengthen the leadership structure needed for the next growth challenges. Our mission, values and focus on the customer remain unchanged in this new stage of El Meson," said Maricarmen Peña, spokesperson for the board of directors and vice president of Administration.
Why does it matter? El Meson is one of the most recognized restaurant chains in Puerto Rico, with more than five decades of history since its founding in 1972. It has 44 restaurants, including four in the state of Florida.
The transition aims to ensure the company maintains its identity and organizational culture as it prepares for new phases of growth, Peña said. "Our expansion plan should bring us to 50 restaurants by the end of 2027," Gil Pérez Grajales said in a statement in August 2025.
New appointments
In addition to the change in the presidency, the company named:
Felipe Hamilcar Pérez as executive vice president,
Paula Irizarry as executive of Purchasing, Development and Innovation,
Carlos J. Romero as director of Culture and Organizational Development.
"These changes ensure our long-term growth, keeping intact the quality standards and service focus that have defined us since 1972, and that our Mesoneros live day to day in every restaurant. Felipe and Gil grew up with that passion for service learned from their father, and it is vital that those values be passed on to the next generations," Peña concluded.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
