Charlotte-based Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill is enjoying everything from its name change (the chain used to be known as Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina) to a new logo, many with drive-thrus, and a brand-new look. The latest restaurant openings for the chain have been in Knoxville, Tennessee, courtesy of Laxmi Ventures, the largest franchisee in the company with brothers JT and HP Patel at the helm. The Patel Brothers have a total of 15 Salsarita’s locations; 10 in the Knoxville area, three in Chattanooga and two in Huntsville, Alabama with further expansion planned in those markets.
In addition, a new location opened last week in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, the second Salsarita’s for franchisee Jeff Rigsby who is also a large multi-unit BoJangles franchisee. His first Salsarita’s in Asheville, North Carolina opened in January 2016.
And finally, as part of this very proactive program, Phil Friedman, CEO of Salsarita’s, along with new president and COO Ken Green, who for more than 30 years has driven rapid market growth and record returns for nationally recognized restaurant franchises, are opening more corporate locations, specifically and most recently one in Rock Hill, part of the Charlotte market. This brings the total number of Salsarita’s in the Charlotte market to 17. This includes non-traditional sites such as two located in Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, a location on UNC Charlotte’s campus, a location in Concord Mills Mall food court, and one on the corporate campus of Lowe’s corporate campus.
“We plan to keep going and growing at this pace and quality,” said Ken Green, whose main role will be to work with franchisees on systems and profitability, both of which have already been improving at a nice clip. “If ever there was a chain that has all the components to go big, it’s Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill,” Green concluded.
Founded in Charlotte, N.C. in 2000, Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill 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 80 locations in 18 states, including 12 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.
