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CUELLAR, Frank, Sr. (b. 1903)

Oral Histories

OHB 0018

Founder and Chairman of the Board, El Chico Corporation. Family background; education problems; work as barber; employment in kitchen of Adolphus Hotel; “Mama” Delilah Cuellar’s Mexican food stand at Kaufman County Fair, 1926; opening of first “Cuellar’s” restaurant, 1928; expansion to other towns; Depression; work on ranch in Mexico; first El Chico restaurant in Dallas, 1940; incorporation, 1949; start of canning operation; frozen food business; sources of supply and quality control; personal ownership of restaurant real estate; philosophy of management at El Chico; legal disputes; federal regulations; merger with Campbell-Taggert; introduction of frozen pizza; business ventures after “retirement”; community and trade association involvements.
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