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Tucson's historic El Charro restaurants are combining forces with Metro Restaurants, in a move one partner said "will increase the value and quality that our diners will experience."

"It's not for growth — this is a solidifying effort," said Ray Flores, the 39-year-old president of El Charro Café. "If growth comes from that, that's the natural and organic way it should."

Changes won't be noticeable to the public, Flores said. The two corporations will combine such behind-the-scenes duties as accounting.

"It's taking advantage of things in that it's taking the expenses of the day and spreading them so they're better absorbed," Flores said. "It's based on a mutual respect, not a legal one."

"I think El Charro has something no one else has," said Bob McMahon, owner of Metro Restaurants.

"It's just a partnership of people with like ideas. We're looking for Ray Flores to put together a wonderful food group.

"Changes will be only for the better."

The October issue of Gourmet magazine named El Charro as one of the 20 Legendary Restaurants in America.

About a week ago, McMahon, 60, told his management team about the partnership. McMahon said he will be the chairman, while Flores will be president and CEO.

"Last time I checked, chairmen don't work as hard," said McMahon, laughing.

McMahon will focus his efforts on his two Green Valley golf courses, The Ranch Golf Club at the Wyndham Canoa Ranch Resort and Torres Blancas Golf Club, and on El Charro's commissary, a production facility that provides salsa and other foods to Bashas', Food City and other stores outside the restaurant group.

"We are going to grow the El Charro concept," McMahon said, adding that there are no plans to close any of the six Metro Restaurants. There are five El Charro locations in Tucson.

"We're going to try to tighten up our operations," he said. "I don't want to be the largest — I want to be the best."

McMahon and Flores have been partners at two El Charros — the locations at Speedway and Swan Road and at Orange Grove and Oracle roads — for about four years.

Both sides said that many of the reasons to join forces were practical.

"This relationship is a great way to align each other's strengths so we can provide a better product and service to our guests," said Rick Grinnell, director of marketing for Metro Restaurants.

"It's going to increase the opportunities for our staff, and it will increase the value and quality that our diners will experience," Flores said. "It will increase our presence in the community. It will allow us to naturally have a foundation for growth. We are strengthening our base."

Flores moved into his office Monday in the Metro Restaurants corporate office at 4644 E. Fort Lowell Road.

Before that, Flores quipped that his "office" was "in my BlackBerry and my car."

"I haven't even hung a picture yet."