Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, the popular fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain known for its depth of authentically inspired menu choices, is looking to outpace results from its successful 2015 as the brand continues to expand throughout the U.S. in 2016.
2015 proved to be a pivotal year that saw restaurant industry veteran Phil Friedman take greater control of daily Salsarita’s operations as CEO. The well-known industry “turn-around artist” has plans for both company and franchise growth that took hold in 2015 which will continue to bear fruit in 2016 and beyond. Nine new units opened in 2015, with planned openings for Lewisville, Tyler, Plano and Ft. Worth TX, West Columbia, SC, Madison and Tupelo, MS, Madison, AL, Charlotte, Brevard and Asheville, NC, Knoxville, TN, and Omaha, Nebraska in 2016.
Additionally, building on the momentum of opening its successful new prototype, Salsarita’s is continuing to add to their new restaurant brick and mortar image that offers a cleaner and more modern look. In 2016, Salsarita’s will also be focusing on their fresh food made-to-order initiative, new menu design and LTO’s.
On the growth side, focus will continue to be on signing new multi-unit franchisees, many of whom are already in the company pipeline or have expressed interest in partnering with Salsarita’s due to Friedman’s leadership and the new look and plans for the future of the brand.
10 new restaurants are already planned for 2016 and in different stages of development currently. At least an additional five locations are planned as well for 2016. Two new corporate locations will be among those opening in 2016 bringing the total of corporate units in operation to 13. This, said Friedman, represents a high water mark for the restaurant chain since his acquisition in 2011 and a pivotal step in the continued evolution of the brand that turns 16 years old this year.
“Salsarita’s is now in the perfect position to support both company and franchisee expansion properly for years to come. Franchisee interest throughout 2015 and so far this year is proof enough of that,” said Friedman. “The confidence franchisees have expressed in us is tremendously telling of where Salsarita’s stands in the industry as an opportunity for sustained growth.”
Salsarita’s restaurants can be found at universities, airports, corporate headquarters and stand-alone locations across the country. In 2014, Salsarita’s introduced its new prototype layout at its Indian Land, S.C. location and in a new franchise opening in South Haven, MS. The nine restaurants opened in 2015 all implemented the new design with great success.
Founded in Charlotte, N.C. in 2000, Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina offers Mexican favorites such as five flavorful house-made salsas, custom burritos, tacos, nachos and salads made fresh to order with an extensive selection of proteins, toppings and fillings. Salsarita’s was acquired by franchise industry veteran Phil Friedman in 2011 and operates more than 70 locations in 19 states, including 11 that are company-owned. For more information, visit www.salsaritas.com, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/salsaritas and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @salsaritas.
