Meet the Team

Al Hank

Chief Operating Officer

Al Hank’s restaurant industry career began in 2005 as an hourly team member with Famous Dave’s. He went on to hold various management roles at the company, including Senior Director of Strategy and Development, Franchise Business Consultant and Senior Vice President of Operations. In 2021, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer at BBQ Holdings.

Hank is responsible for driving the company’s strategic direction, technology roadmap, oversight of marketing initiatives and driving strategic growth. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in expanding the company’s reach and innovate mindset.

Dallas Massey

Vice President, Marketing & Off Premise

Dallas Massey is an accomplished marketing professional with a strong background in the restaurant industry. He joined BBQ Holdings in June of 2019 as the Director of Off-Premise, and was quickly promoted to his current position as Vice President of Marketing & Off-Premise. In this role, Dallas oversees all aspects of the company’s marketing efforts, including traditional marketing, brand marketing, strategy development, innovation, digital marketing, loyalty programs, and more.

Before joining BBQ Holdings, Dallas gained valuable experience working at a prominent advertising agency in Colorado, where he held various roles and honed his skills in marketing, advertising, and partnership development. Additionally, he served as the marketing lead for a Famous Dave’s Franchise Group for over a decade, where he successfully developed and executed marketing strategies to drive growth and enhance brand awareness.

Ray Zandi

Vice President of U.S. Business Development

Ray opened his first franchised restaurant in the late 1980’s in California, while working full time as a first responder Paramedic.  He became a multi-unit operator within a couple of years and expanded his restaurant portfolio by opening an espresso café and then acquiring a coffee roasting café.  Several years later, he retired from being a Paramedic and moved to Arizona with his family, where he opened another sandwich chain franchise and became a multi-unit operator for that concept.  Both he and his wife, Traci’s Phoenix location, became the training restaurant for that chain’s west coast franchisees.  Several years later, in the mid 2000’s Ray bought the Franchise Development rights to a Mediterranean concept called Extreme Pita out of Canada.  They opened over 10 locations in their territory and soon became the U.S. head office based in Arizona for the Brand. Ultimately, Ray and his team opened over 50 Extreme Pita locations over the next few years in the U.S.

In 2013 MTY Group out of Canada acquired ‘The Extreme Brandz’ concept of restaurants, and Ray sold his development rights back and became MTY’s Vice President of U.S. Business Development for the MTY group of brands.  Within a couple of years, MTY Group acquired Kahala Brands out of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Ray moved into the Kahala offices and continued to develop the MTY group of brands in the U.S. At Kahala, Ray also assisted with the development of several Kahala brand of restaurants as well.

In 2022, parent company, MTY Group, acquired BBQ Holdings, Inc.  Ray became the V.P. of U.S. Development for BBQ Holdings, Inc., that includes well-known brands such as Famous Dave’s BBQ, Village Inn, Baker’s Square, Barrio Queen and many more.  Currently, Ray continues to be the V.P. of U.S. Development for several brands under the MTY umbrella.

Patrick Lacek

Area Director

Patrick Lacek is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the restaurant industry. His journey in the industry began as he worked his way up the ranks at various Phoenix area restaurants.

After graduating with honors from Arizona State University, Patrick worked under Chef Adriano Paganini at Pasta Pomodoro, where he developed a passion for the business. He then joined Famous Dave’s, where he rose through the ranks to become the Director of Operations for a Famous Dave’s franchise group. In this role, Patrick made significant contributions to the growth and success of the business.

Currently, Patrick serves as the Director of Operations for Barrio Queen, Tahoe Joe’s Steakhouse, and Sauce Pizza and Wine for BBQ-Holdings. In this role, he has been instrumental in driving operational excellence, elevating the customer experience, and driving strong financial performance.

Patrick’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned him a reputation as a trusted expert in the restaurant industry. He is passionate about driving growth and success in all his endeavors, and is committed to making a positive impact in the industry.

Julio Mata

Executive Chef

Julio Mata’s culinary journey began at the age of 16, starting as a busser in restaurants. However, it was in the kitchen where he found my true passion. Watching line cooks add wine to the pan, creating flames, and skillfully using metal tongs ignited a fire within me. At 18, I was already running a kitchen and hungry for more knowledge. Culinary school provided the opportunity to learn techniques and explore international cuisine.

Throughout his career, he had the privilege of working with renowned chefs, constantly refining my skills. Joining Barrio Queen in 2014 felt like coming home. Here, he could create and share recipes from my childhood, fostering my deep passion for our food.

As the guardian of food quality and recipe standards, his role is to ensure consistency across all our restaurants. I’m dedicated to educating others about authentic Mexican cuisine and culture. It’s a pleasure to be part of a brand that supports my vision.

Matthew Harden

Area Director / Creative Beverage Manager

With over 20 years of restaurant experience, Matthew Harden has worked in all styles of restaurants, from NY to LA, and now Phoenix. He got his start in this business as a bartender and fell in love with creating cocktails for his guests. Once he moved to LA he found a new passion for wine and shortly after received his Sommelier certificate. He has always continued to grow his knowledge of wine and mixology. Since moving to AZ, he has opened many restaurants and worked with lots of amazing people. After joining the Barrio Queen family, he found a new passion for “Tequila and Mezcal”. He has taken the Barrio Queen beverage program to new heights and created some of the best Margaritas in the Valley. His passion for Tequila has led him to getting his CRT certificate as a Tequila specialist. Being able to work with the freshest ingredients and 100% Blue Weber Agave Tequila puts a smile on his face every day.

Andrew Patti

Marketing and Brand Manager

Andrew Patti, a creative director and brand strategist based in Phoenix, Arizona, brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Having studied marketing and graphic design at ASU, Andrew is deeply passionate about the intersection of design and technology, recognizing the significance of visual marketing in today’s digital landscape. With over 15 years of experience, he has honed his skills in creating captivating campaigns, crafting memorable branding, and executing impactful advertisements.

Throughout his career, Andrew has collaborated with renowned companies such as Mercedes Benz, W Hotels, Vitamin Water, Honor Health, Pita Jungle, Purely Sedona, and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. Drawing from his background in the hospitality industry, Andrew possesses a keen understanding of operational intricacies, allowing him to develop marketing strategies that resonate with both businesses and customers.

In 2016, Andrew joined Barrio Queen, playing a pivotal role in shaping the restaurant’s marketing and branding efforts. Through his vibrant and boundary-pushing art direction, he has contributed to defining the unique identity of Barrio Queen as it stands today.

Andrew’s passion for creative excellence and his ability to merge artistic vision with strategic thinking make him an invaluable asset in crafting compelling brand experiences.

Magaly Cachiero

Operations Training Manager

Magaly’s restaurant business career began in 2006 as a server, and started to move up to leadership roles months after.  Joined the Barrio Queen team in 2012 when it started. Magaly has been in different positions, such as General Manager, Catering Manager, Training Director, etc., transitioning with the growth of Barrio Queen.  Participated in all BQ locations openings, planning, training staff, and adding cultural aspects.  Currently, her role is Operations Training Director, ensuring BQ roots, culture, and standards are shared with the staff. Her experience with Mexican culture has been an important piece for the brand’s growth.