DALLAS — Matt Hood has been named president and chief executive officer of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a chain of Mexican casual dining restaurants. He succeeds Ward Whitworth, who has led the company for nearly four years.

Mr. Hood joins On The Border from The Habit Burger Grill, where he was chief marketing officer since 2014. Prior to that, he was interim c.m.o. for Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, c.m.o. for BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. and senior vice-president of marketing and brand development for Carino’s Italian Grill. Mr. Hood began his restaurant career at Brinker International, Inc. during the time it acquired On the Border in 1994.

“Matt Hood is a proven performer when it comes to moving brands forward,” said Michael A. Klump, founder and president of Argonne Capital Group, which owns On The Border and other restaurant brands. “We have been laying the groundwork to achieve great things, and we are excited to add his strategic and disciplined leadership to capitalize on the opportunities before us.”

On the Border operates 158 restaurants in 32 states, Puerto Rico and Asia.