Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga
He is Chairman of CMI Foods, a business group of CMI (Corporación Multi Inversiones), a multi-Latin family-owned corporation founded in Guatemala in 1920 by his grandfather, Juan Bautista Gutiérrez. CMI has more than 40,000 employees in 16 countries on 2 continents, and generates investment, employment and development for the region.
CMI's businesses include, in the CMI Foods cluster, wheat flour mills, pasta and biscuit production; poultry, pork, processed meat and sausage manufacturing industry; balanced food for animals and pets; restaurant industry, with its Pollo Campero hallmark brand, among others. CMI Capital includes renewable energy generation projects, development of real estate projects and financial service businesses.
He was president of Pollo Campero for more than 30 years, during which time he directed its expansion throughout Central America, the United States and Europe, to become, today, the largest chain of Latin American restaurants in the world, with more than 350 restaurants in 8 countries.
He is Chairman CMI Foods, a business group of CMI (Corporación Multi Inversiones), a multi-Latin family-owned corporation founded in Guatemala in 1920 by his grandfather, Juan Bautista Gutiérrez. CMI has more than 40,000 employees in 15 countries on 3 continents, and generates investment, employment and development for the region.
CMI's businesses include, in the CMI Foods cluster, wheat flour mills, pasta and biscuit production; poultry, pork, processed meat and sausage manufacturing industry; balanced food for animals and pets; restaurant industry, with its Pollo Campero hallmark brand, among others. CMI Capital includes renewable energy generation projects, development of real estate projects and financial service businesses.
He was president of Pollo Campero for more than 30 years, during which time he directed its expansion throughout Central America, the United States and Europe, to become, today, the largest chain of Latin American restaurants in the world, with more than 300 restaurants in 10 countries.
Business History
1977
Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga completed his university degree. However, the plan to pursue higher studies in the United States underwent changes with the decision to join the work team of CMI's Toledo Sausage Plant.
1977
When he turned 23, he received the offer to take over the management of what was then a small chain of restaurants called Pollo Campero. At that time, the sense was that Pollo Campero had reached its state of maturity and should now only receive maintenance. However, that perception did not agree with Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga’s vision of the business. He believed that the fried chicken chain, which he now managed, had enormous growth potential.
1977
As part of his business discipline, and with the desire and need to better understand the restaurant business, Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga undertook the task of becoming involved in all the internal processes of Pollo Campero. He performed various functions such as frying the chicken, serving customers and collecting at the cash registers. These activities gave him a better vision of the business at the time, and of what it could become.
1982
Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga took over the management of Pollo Campero. Until then, his work experience had been related to the meat industry. Therefore, it was challenging to develop a growth strategy for a different industry and to seek to expand the restaurant business.
1982
At that time, Pollo Campero was not yet a restaurant chain; the concept was of cafeterias, with 14 points of sale in Guatemala and 5 in El Salvador. It was part of the corporation's poultry business with a vertical structure that cut out intermediaries, to reach the consumer directly. Creating expansion for the business required more than economic investment. This challenge involved a change in mindset and image. It was necessary to transform from coffee shops with a limited menu, to a growing chain of restaurants.
1986
Pollo Campero opened its first restaurant in Coral Way, Miami. The operation lasted only one year. This apparent failure represented a school of vast learning for Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga about what it really took to grow a restaurant chain internationally. The lessons learned paid off four years later.
1988
Since this year, the chain has sustained growth of approximately 10 restaurants per year, with Guatemala and El Salvador mainly responsible for this increase.
1990-1995
Juan José Gutiérrez was president of the Committee of Agricultural, Commercial and Financial Associations in Guatemala (CACIF), president of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG); President of the Federation of Chambers of Industry of Central America (FECAICA) and of the Federation of Private Sector Associations in Central America and the Caribbean (FEDEPRICAP).
2005
Newsweek USA featured Juan José Gutiérrez on its cover as one of the Super CEOs, naming him one of the “Ten Big Thinkers of Big Business”.
2011
He assumed the Corporate Presidency of CMI and since then has directed the growth and expansion strategies of the corporation's businesses.
2018
He was appointed Chairman of CMI Foods. He was also the director of PRONACA, a leading Ecuadorian company dedicated to the production and distribution of food products.
2020
He assumed the presidency of the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation, after the passing of Mrs. Isabel Gutiérrez de Bosch.
Business History
1977
Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga completed his university degree. However, the plan to pursue higher studies in the United States underwent changes with the decision to join the work team of CMI's Toledo Sausage Plant.1977
When he turned 23, he received the offer to take over the management of what was then a small chain of restaurants called Pollo Campero. At that time, the sense was that Pollo Campero had reached its state of maturity and should now only receive maintenance. However, that perception did not agree with Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga’s vision of the business. He believed that the fried chicken chain, which he now managed, had enormous growth potential.1977
As part of his business discipline, and with the desire and need to better understand the restaurant business, Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga undertook the task of becoming involved in all the internal processes of Pollo Campero. He performed various functions such as frying the chicken, serving customers and collecting at the cash registers. These activities gave him a better vision of the business at the time, and of what it could become.1982
Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga took over the management of Pollo Campero. Until then, his work experience had been related to the meat industry. Therefore, it was challenging to develop a growth strategy for a different industry and to seek to expand the restaurant business.1982
At that time, Pollo Campero was not yet a restaurant chain; the concept was of cafeterias, with 14 points of sale in Guatemala and 5 in El Salvador. It was part of the corporation's poultry business with a vertical structure that cut out intermediaries, to reach the consumer directly. Creating expansion for the business required more than economic investment. This challenge involved a change in mindset and image. It was necessary to transform from coffee shops with a limited menu, to a growing chain of restaurants.1986
Pollo Campero opened its first restaurant in Coral Way, Miami. The operation lasted only one year. This apparent failure represented a school of vast learning for Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga about what it really took to grow a restaurant chain internationally. The lessons learned paid off four years later.1988
Since this year, the chain has sustained growth of approximately 10 restaurants per year, with Guatemala and El Salvador mainly responsible for this increase.1990-1995
Juan José Gutiérrez was president of the Committee of Agricultural, Commercial and Financial Associations in Guatemala (CACIF), president of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG); President of the Federation of Chambers of Industry of Central America (FECAICA) and of the Federation of Private Sector Associations in Central America and the Caribbean (FEDEPRICAP).2005
Newsweek USA featured Juan José Gutiérrez on its cover as one of the Super CEOs, naming him one of the “Ten Big Thinkers of Big Business”.2011
He assumed the Corporate Presidency of CMI and since then has directed the growth and expansion strategies of the corporation's businesses.2018
He was appointed Chairman of CMI Foods. He was also the director of PRONACA, a leading Ecuadorian company dedicated to the production and distribution of food products.2020
He assumed the presidency of the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation, after the passing of Mrs. Isabel Gutiérrez de Bosch.
Social aid projects
Juan José Gutiérrez is also a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Juan Bautista Gutiérrez, the social arm of CMI that supports projects focused especially on education and health. Three of its most relevant projects are:
University Scholarship Program
See More »
My Health… My Responsibility Program
See More »
Nutrition and Community Entrepreneurship Program
See More»
It also makes an important contribution to children with cancer in Guatemala through the ÚNETE program each year.
Juan José's participation in various education and health projects reflects his commitment to the future of coming generations and the search for better living conditions for people.
Social aid projects
Juan José Gutiérrez is also a member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Juan Bautista Gutiérrez, the social arm of CMI that supports projects focused especially on education and health. Three of its most relevant projects are:
University Scholarship Program
See More »
My Health… My Responsibility Program
See more»
Nutrition and Community Entrepreneurship Program
See more »
It also makes an important contribution to children with cancer in Guatemala through the ÚNETE program each year.
It also makes an important contribution to children with cancer in Guatemala through the ÚNETE program each year.