Brent Johnson was all set to open his first Rio Mambo restaurant in Fort Worth’s Cityview Centre on Sept. 11, 2001. Then 9/11 happened. Johnson decided to open anyway.

More than two decades later, in March, Johnson announced the sale of his company — including four Rio Mambos and two of The Rim, a restaurant he opened later — to Xperience Restaurant Group. The California-based XRG operates 68 restaurants, including El Torito, El Torito Grill and Chevys Fresh Mex.

“Xperience Restaurant Group is the right fit for us to continue our commitment to quality food and drinks,” Johnson said in a release. “Building and operating these restaurants has been a passion of mine for over 22 years and [XRG CEO] Randy Sharpe and his team share in my passion and are the right partners to keep the restaurants thriving.”

In a subsequent Facebook post, Johnson said XRG’s “history and commitment is to identify and purchase small to medium size Mexican restaurant companies with a solid reputation and are operated well, and GROW them.”

“There will be essentially no changes to the guest experience or menu,” he continued. “My daughter, Mallori Schick, will continue running the company, as she has for the past several years. I’m not going anywhere and will continue to support the team we have built over the last 22 years. I had no plans for continued growth.

“… Our executive chef remains in charge of all culinary and our extremely talented and committed management teams will continue to ensure a distinctive guest experience. After 45 years in the industry, my ride will continue from the back seat.”

Rio Mambo has locations in Fort Worth, Colleyville, Burleson and Weatherford. The Rim has locations in Fort Worth and Burleson. 

Websites: riomambo.com, therimrestaurant.com