Mexican restaurants. You’ve probably been to more than a few, and you may even make it to one several times per month if you really like the food. Perhaps you’re thinking of taking a bigger step of not just being a consumer but also having your own.
Just like with IV therapy, there are companies that allow you to own your own as they offer great franchising opportunities. I’ve also written part 3 and 4 about opening a franchise, which covers other companies I often get asked about.
However, if you’re looking to start a location that may not currently offer great Mexican food, there are options to consider. I’m not going to cover all options here, just some of the ones I consider promising.
As I’ve gone over in previous articles, whether a Mexican restaurant or something else, it’s always a great idea to get a review with a franchise consultant to make sure you’re making the right choice.
While some of the best Mexican food franchise restaurant opportunities include Cilantro Taco Grill, Del Taco, and Moe’s Southwest Grill are often considered among the best.
Let’s go over some of the best Mexican food franchise restaurants for you to consider.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
With their fast-casual food, you’ve probably been into this concept a time or two, which mkes Moe’s Southwest Grill one of the best Mexican food restaurant franchises for you to consider.
They have more than 600 locations, so you won’t be the first or the last person they train, and the continued growth is another indication that customers are happy. When you consider that Moe’s is a stable that has been around for 25+ years, it becomes obvious that it’s a brand that’s here to stay.
What I like about Moe’s as a franchise is that they provide a fun atmosphere without scaling at all cost. Some franchising companies will sprint to hundreds of locations, which often means that they aren’t able to fully support franchisees the way they deserve.
When you join Moe’s, there’s a franchise fee of $30,500, although the full cost to open a Moe’s Southwest Grill ranges from $745,325 to $1,819,050. It’s also a requirement that you have $300,000 in liquid capital.
Cilantro Taco Grill
Cilantro Taco Grill is bringing a new twist to the food space with authentic flavors and a strong-rooted Mexican spirit. With its authentic flavors, it’s a hit among those that value quality Mexican food, making it one of hte best Mexican food restaurant franchise opportunities.
One thing I like about the brand is that they’re not merely banking on franchises to expand which always feels like a red flag when that’s the case. They also have a bunch of corporate locations as well, so the company is continuously putting the money where their mouth is.
Cilantro Taco grill is in many ways a food option for Americans across the country and potentially what you may be looking for. Here’s the kicker.
The franchise fee is very reasonable at $35,000 to $50,000 and royalty fees of 6% in addition to a worldwide creative fund of 2% of gross sales. When you compare it to the numbers on some other franchise opportunities, you’re keeping a higher percentage of the gross total than some fast food franchises would let you.
The cost to open a Cilantro Taco Grill falls between $378,000 to $835,000 for the initial investment. You’ll feel like you’re in Mexico with your very first bite, and there are even prime territories for you to own!
Del Taco
Del Taco is another option that made it onto our list of the best potential Mexican food restaurant franchises to own. It will cost you between $1,312,200 to $3,085,000 to open a Del Taco franchise, which may be prohibitive to some.
The specialty of this brand is particularly the delicious tacos and burritos that can be filled with things liek seasaoned beef, grilled chicken, and fresh guacamole.
However, that’s potentially where the appeal for the brand stops, if you ask me. Del Taco, in my opinion, tries to be everything to everyone, which I rarely think is a good way to position yourself in the market.
Del Taco not only has Mexican food on the menu but also serves fries and burgers. To me, the menu starts becoming extremely confusing being spread so thin. While the $35,000 franchise fee is well within the norm of the franchising world, Del Taco’s fees are higher. While you may only pay 5% royalty fees, you’re also required to pay 4% advertising fee.
The next thing I don’t appreciate about the concept is the “buck & under” part of the menu. My general stance on business is that you have more success when you don’t chase customers that are very price conscious. The margins often tend to become so slim that it’s a tough space to operate in.
While I may like some of the food they make there, I don’t particularly love Del Taco for people wanting to become a franchise.
Chipotle
Chipotle has been included on the list because it’s a name I often get asked about, but it unfortunately doesn’t mean that you can own one. With more than 3,200 restaurants worldwide, it’s a powerful brand that draws in tons of busines, also when it comes to Mexican food. Chipotle has managed to keep an edge in the market because they make food from scratch and do it well.
With customizable options, there’s something for everyone, even the pickier eaters out there! I personally wish it was an option to open a Chipotle franchise, but it’s not the case for now.
