QDOBA Mexican Eats, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant chain, is expanding across San Diego County through a new development agreement for 17 restaurants.
The agreement is led by Hyperion Brands, LLC, a San Diego-based multi-unit operator, according to a press release. An opening timeline and specific restaurant locations have not yet been announced. Customers can expect QDOBA’s customizable menu, including its signature free guacamole and three-cheese queso with any Create Your Own entrée.
“California is a priority growth market for QDOBA,” Jeremy Vitaro, Chief Development Officer at QDOBA, said in a press release. “We’re excited to grow the brand with the Hyperion Brands team, a proven, operations-first organization that also brings a strong development track record and a hometown advantage.”
QDOBA and its franchise partners currently operate approximately 875 restaurants, with plans to double the brand’s footprint to approximately 2,000 restaurants and open 100 restaurants annually in the years ahead. The San Diego County agreement is part of the company’s broader franchise development strategy, which focuses on working with multi-unit operators. QDOBA is also expanding elsewhere in California through a development agreement announced earlier this year for Ventura and Santa Barbara.
Hyperion Brands CEO and co-founder Cesar Shih is also a franchise owner and multi-unit operator of Habit Burger Grill. Shih said the company sees an opportunity for QDOBA to stand apart through its fresh, customizable menu and free guacamole and queso offerings. The company will bring the brand to the San Diego region as part of its multi-unit development plans.
QDOBA currently operates at San Diego International Airport and continues to expand into non-traditional venues nationwide, including airports, universities, and military bases. The company identifies California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas as key priority states for development. It also sees opportunities in markets including Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Bernardino, and the Bay Area.
“We see real opportunity for QDOBA to stand apart with its fresh, customizable menu and signature offering of free guacamole and queso with any ‘Create Your Own’ entrée,” said Cesar Shih, CEO and Co-Founder of Hyperion Brands, LLC, who is also a franchise owner and multi-unit operator of Habit Burger Grill. “As a San Diego-based operator, we’re looking forward to bringing QDOBA’s bold flavors and great value to our guests across the region.”
