Frank Cuellar Sr. (1903-1995).

Mr. Cuellar was a restaurateur and cofounder of the El Chico Corporation, and the El Chico Commissary.  Today there are El Chico restaurants in multiple U.S. states and three other countries.

Mr. Cuellar was born December 3, 1903 into a large family.  He left school early to help with farm work and support the large share cropper family.  Life on the farm was a struggle, but young Frank envisioned a brighter horizon.  One year, when the chores at home were in a slack period, he and his brothers helped their mother make tamales and other foods, which they sold at the Kaufman County Fair.  Frank realized that the income from the short period at the fair almost equaled profits from a year's operation at the farm.  As time passed the tamale business continued to grow, and eventually a small cáfe was established.

Frank Cuellar went to Terrell, one brother went to Wills Point and another remained in Kaufman.  Each enterprising brother engaged in a small business and a chain of restaurants was born.  Denied a formal education, Mr. Cuellar was piling up a fortune in experience and knowledge of human relations.  He made mistakes and he suffered failures, but in every instance he emerged  wiser and with renewed energy and determination to make the business succeed.

Mr. Cuellar  placed emphasis on finding the most advantageous locations and providing a pleasant atmosphere, along with excellent food, to bring customers back to his tables.

Mr. Cuellar was a concerned citizen, always involved in the needs of his family, his associates, and the world.  He participated as a director or member of many civic and community organizations.  He would meet regularly with a group of minority businessman whose goal was a national savings and loan association.

Mr. Cuellar was married to Julia Flores and they had three sons, Frank Jr., Robert, and John, as well as multiple grandchildren.  Mr. Cuellar enjoyed restful weekends in the country fishing or entertaining his grandchildren.