• by Teresa Buyikian , August 9, 2023

Fast-casual Mexican restaurant Qdoba, with approximately750 locations, has announced plans to rapidly expand the chain.

The chain plans to open 40 new U.S. restaurants this year, followed by 60 in 2024, and 80+ annually beginning in 2025, with a total of 1,500 by 2033.

Qdoba relies substantially on its franchise strategy, with over 80% of restaurants franchised by 85 different franchisee partners in the U.S. The chain, owned by Modern Restaurant Companies in San Diego, recently sold 77 company-owned restaurants to existing franchisee, North Fork Fresh Mex, which now operates 97 Qdoba restaurants in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia. North Fork has also committed to build 73 new restaurants over the next seven years and is now Qdoba's largest franchise partner.

"We’re … aggressively accelerating new restaurant development in partnership with existing and new franchisees,” said John Cywinski, chief executive officer of Modern Restaurant Concepts, in a release. “Once our pipeline is fully established, we expect to sustain a 10% annual growth rate through new restaurant development.”

Cywinski cited "strong unit economics, a compelling operating model, an extraordinarily passionate guest following, and significant untapped geographic potential," as among the reasons for the chain's predicted growth.

Qdoba boasts an annual unit sale volume of $1.6M. The chain overall has posted 10 consecutive quarters of positive competitive sales growth.

Qdoba’s approximately750locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, specialize in customer-customized burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads. The chain was recently recognized by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards as the nation’s “Best Fast Casual Restaurant” for the fifth consecutive year.