Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill

Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurants
Founded2000; 24 years ago (2000)[1]
HeadquartersCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Number of locations
80+
Area served
United States
Websitesalsaritas.com

Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill is a chain of fast casual Tex Mex restaurants in the United States serving Mexican-style cuisine.[2] Restaurant service consists of: dine-in, take-out, online ordering, 3rd Party Delivery with some locations offering Drive Thru options. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and operates over 80 company-owned and franchised restaurants throughout United States.

History

The chain was founded in 2000 by Bruce Willette.[3] It was purchased by Phil Friedman in 2011.[4] Friedman has rapidly expanded the number of Salsarita's, claiming that to achieve success, "It's finding the best operations person and then together growing and increasing same-store sales."[5] Friedman has stated that he wants to grow Salsarita's into a super regional chain.[6]

Salsarita's menu consists of six core items: burritos, bowls, quesoritos (A burrito stuffed with the customer's favorite fillings and covered with Salsarita’s Creamy Queso), tacos, quesadillas, and salads. The price of each item is based on the choice of Grilled Chicken, Ground Beef, Grilled Steak, Shredded Pork, Sautéed Shrimp, and Fajita Vegetables. There are seven made fresh daily salsas: Mild Salsa, Hot Salsa, Medium Salsa, Pico de Gallo, Tomatillo Salsa Verde, and Pueblo Corn Salsa, and Creamy Cholula Corn. Additional optional, fresh toppings are offered including rice, beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, black olives, diced jalapenos, pickled jalapenos, shredded cheese, sour cream, creamy Queso, and house made fresh guacamole.

Most Salsarita's locations offer a variety of beer and wine, with a few having full-sized bars.[7] In 2014, the chain worked with PuckerButt Pepper of South Carolina to create the "World's Hottest Burrito" using Carolina Reaper peppers.[8]

Catering

Most Salsarita's locations offer Catering that can either be delivered or picked up. Catering options include Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Taco Salad Bars, Nacho Bars, Burrito Boxed Lunches, Taco Salad Boxed Lunches and Salsarita's signature Fiesta Packs.

References

  1. ^ "About Salsarita's - Our Story | Learn More About Us". Salsarita's. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Whether It's a Recession, Pandemic, Labor Shortage or More Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill Star Multi-Unit Franchisee Steve Alie Has Overcome Every Obstacle on His Path | RestaurantNews.com". 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  3. ^ "Salsarita's founder plans Italian restaurant chain Capishe!". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  4. ^ "Former McAlister's CEO Friedman Buys Salsarita's". QSR magazine. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Salsarita's CEO on the secret to growing fast casual brands". Fast Casual. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  6. ^ Thomas, Jennifer. "CEO: Salsarita's poised to become 'super regional' concept". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Salsarita's positions itself for growth". Fast Casual. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  8. ^ Thomas, Jennifer (25 February 2014). "Salsarita's, PuckerButt Pepper team up on 'World's Hottest Burrito'". Charlotte Business Journal. Charlotte, North Carolina: American City Business Journals. Retrieved 30 Dec 2019.