Larry Blumberg and Associates (LBA), a company providing comprehensive real estate and business services for hospitality and restaurant groups, has named Barry Barnhart as vice president, restaurant operations, a new company position.

Barnhart has been in the restaurant business for 43 years. He comes to LBA from Del Taco’s corporate office in Lake Forest, California, where he served with distinction as vice president of franchise operations. 

Before that, he held several key positions at Yum! Brands, including regional vice president responsible for 115 company-operated restaurants.

In his new role at LBA, Barnhart will lead the company’s efforts to build and open new Del Taco restaurants throughout Alabama and Northern Florida.

LBA’s Restaurant Group recently signed a 20-unit franchise agreement with Del Taco and opened its first restaurant in Dothan, Alabama, on April 2, 2013.

Senior vice president Bill Davis says, “We are very pleased and excited to have Barry join the LBA senior management team. Barry’s wealth of restaurant industry knowledge and outstanding experience will be a huge asset for our company.”

Barnhart says, “I am extremely impressed with LBA’s management team and am confident that our Restaurant Group will achieve success. This wonderful company is a great fit for me because LBA very clearly knows how to deliver premium-quality customer service and deeply values its associates and the communities where they are honored to do business.”