Salsarita’s, the 80-unit Fresh Mexican Cantina chain, is debuting a new line of Mexican-inspired tortilla pizzas—the Cantizza. Available in restaurants across the country, Cantizzas come in four varieties: BBQ Pork, Cantizzas with savory pork and a Southern meets South-of-the-Border flavor; Chicken Fajita, with chicken, veggies, signature salsa and an extra kick of flavor; Steak Nacho, a reinvented cantina classic topped with Salsarita’s signature tortilla chips; and Beef Taco, a thin crispy tortilla crust topped with a tangy twist on the traditional taco.
Make-your-own Mexican pizzas have always been a popular menu offering at Salsarita’s restaurants. When Salsarita’s was acquired in 2010, the chain’s new management team launched a year-long rebranding effort which culminated in May. A key initiative in the rebranding effort was hiring Chef and Menu Development Manager Tom Lafauci who spent months in the corporate test kitchens developing new and fresh menu items with distinctive flavor profiles.
“Tom paired his culinary expertise with some of our customers’ most requested make-your-own pizza recipes to create four outstanding pizzas with unique tastes,” said Salsarita’s CEO Phil Friedman. “The Cantizzas are a great permanent addition to our menu.”
To promote the new Cantizzas, for a limited time this summer, customers will have the opportunity to play a fun, interactive Mexican-inspired dice game to win free Cantizzas on their next visit. After a guest orders, he or she will have the opportunity to roll the dice. If guests roll a pair of maracas, they receive a card for a free Cantizza on their next visit.
In addition to Cantizzas, Salsarita’s also offers signature Mexican favorites such as burritos, quesadillas, tacos, Mexican salads, signature Casaritos and nachos made fresh to order with an extensive assortment of proteins, toppings and fillings, including complimentary guacamole. Founded in 2000 in Charlotte, N.C., Salsarita’s operates more than 80 franchised locations in 19 states and Puerto Rico. Two restaurants are company-owned. Five to 10 locations will be added in 2012, with long-range projections calling for about 400 locations nationwide within five to six years. For more information visit www.salsaritas.com.
