Co-Founder Of Austin-Based Chuy's Was Arrested For Punching Wife

AUSTIN, TX — One of the co-founders of the popular Chuy's chain of Tex-Mex food restaurants was arrested last month after being accused of punching his wife in the face, according to a report.

Details of the arrest only emerged this week following the release of an affidavit. John A. Zapp, 65, was booked into the Travis County Jail on April 23 after the March 18 incident involving his wife, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

According to an arrest affidavit, police first responded to West Austin after the restaurateur's wife reported that her husband hit her during an argument while they were driving home, causing bleeding and swelling to the left side of her mouth, according to the report.

It's unclear why it took weeks between the time the woman reported the violence until Zapp was arrested. He was eventually charged with assault family violence, according to Travis County Jail records. He subsequently posted bail and released the same day of his arrest.

In co-founding the now-storied Chuy's chain, Zapp helped launch the original restaurant on Barton Springs Road in 1982 with business partner Mike Young. According to local legend, the name came about after a night of binge-watching "Star Wars" movies featuring the character "Chewbacca" (although, the name also conveniently, for the purposes of Hispanic marketing, is the popular nickname of the name " Jesús" popular in the Latino culture).

The chain now has a presence nationwide across 19 states with 95 stores, with several currently under development. According to the Chuy's website, Zapp is now listed as chairman of the restaurant company.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

John A. Zapp booking photo via Travis County Jail records