8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________

FORM 8-K

______________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):April 17, 2018

______________________

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-35373	90-0712224
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
14800 Landmark Boulevard, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas		75254
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (972) 702-9300

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

______________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On April 17, 2018, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. issued a press release, the entire text of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 7.01. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

The information required to be disclosed under this Item 7.01 is included in Item 2.02 above and incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. Press Release, dated April 17, 2018

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Date: April 17, 2018

By: /s/ Lynn S. Schweinfurth

Name: Lynn S. Schweinfurth

Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Relations Contact:

Raphael Gross

203-682-8253

investors@FRGI.com

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. Reports Preliminary Unaudited

First Quarter 2018 Comparable Restaurant Sales Results

Dallas, TX -- (Businesswire) - April 17, 2018 - Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Fiesta” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FRGI), parent company of the Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana® fast-casual restaurant brands, reported preliminary unaudited comparable restaurant sales results for the first quarter of 2018, which ended on April 1, 2018, in connection with its two brand General Manager Conferences this week and next.

• Comparable restaurant sales at Pollo Tropical increased 1.1%, which included a 3.4% increase in average check, partially offset by a 2.3% decrease in comparable restaurant transactions. Comparable restaurant sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.4% related to a fiscal calendar shift of New Year’s Day and Easter. Traction across all markets continues to build with the launch of our new Crispy Pollo Bites® platform and other implemented hospitality, facility and menu improvements.

• Comparable restaurant sales at Taco Cabana decreased 1.7%, which included an 11.3% decrease in comparable restaurant transactions, partially offset by a 9.6% increase in average check. Comparable restaurant sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.4% related to a fiscal calendar shift of New Year’s Day and Easter. We continue to focus on evolving our guest base and increasing the profitability of each transaction by offering high quality menu and promotional items at reasonable prices, while eliminating deep discounting.

Fiesta President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Stockinger said, “Executing our Strategic Renewal Plan continued in full force during the first quarter, and we are encouraged by the improving sales trajectory across our two brands. Pollo Tropical generated its first quarter of positive comparable restaurant sales since the fourth quarter of 2015 and has now experienced four consecutive months of positive comparable restaurant sales through March. Trends at Taco Cabana improved sequentially in March, with a comparable restaurant sales decrease of 0.2% including the negative impact of approximately 0.6% related to the Easter shift.”

Mr. Stockinger continued, “These encouraging results are being made possible by the hard work and dedication of our entire Fiesta team, many of whom will be gathering at our two General Manager Conferences this week and next to celebrate our significant accomplishments to date.”

About Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering. For more information about Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., visit the corporate website at www.frgi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained in this news release, the matters addressed are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent Fiesta's expectation or belief concerning future events. Without limiting the foregoing, these statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends" or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of Fiesta's strategies, intentions or plans are also forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Fiesta's control. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties as included in Fiesta's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.