Qdoba Mexican Eats Expands with 500 New Locations on the Way

Qdoba Mexican Eats is speeding up its growth across the nation, adding 33 new locations to its plans and bringing total restaurant commitments to more than 500 across the United States.

The fast-casual Mexican chain is growing through key franchise partnerships in many regions. In the Northeast, PFGS, LLC will build 15 locations across Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn. Meanwhile, Empire Inc. has agreed to open 10 restaurants in the Columbus, Ohio area, using their experience running over 100 restaurants including Subway and Dunkin' stores.

Current partner Roaring Forks, LLC plans three more restaurants in Rockford, Ill., adding to their group of more than 60 Qdoba locations. In the Pacific Northwest, Dhote & Turner, LLC signed to build four new restaurants.

The San Diego-based chain is also growing beyond traditional storefronts. Recent openings include a location at Syracuse Hancock International Airport and planned restaurants at Colorado State University-Pueblo and Rutgers University.

"Qdoba's momentum continues to accelerate, driven by strong franchise partnerships and a commitment to quality," said Jeremy Vitaro, chief development officer at Qdoba. "We're excited to welcome new franchisees who bring industry expertise and a shared passion for bold flavors. As we surpass 500 development commitments, we're reinforcing our position as a premier fast-casual brand poised for long-term success."

Unlike competitor Chipotle, which owns all its stores, Qdoba lets operators buy into the Mexican fast-casual market while sharing building costs. The company added a $100,000 cash bonus last July for owners opening new restaurants by September 2026.

The chain is trying new store formats, recently opening its first standalone locations in Arizona. These have open grills, two serving lines, and a smaller 2,000-square-foot size compared to the 2,500 square feet of older stores.

With about 800 current locations and sales up 7.7% last year, Qdoba aims to reach 100 net openings yearly in coming years. The company plans to hit 1,500 restaurants by 2033.

by Alex Bailey | March 31, 2025 | SHARE