This article was published on Nation’s Restaurant News 5/2/23. It has been edited to fit this format.
Tijuana Flats recently launched exclusive new franchising opportunities and development incentives, with plans to open 50 locations by 2025.
The clock is ticking though. The expanded franchise development program offers exclusive growth incentives for franchisees who sign on by December 1, 2023.
New franchisees will receive 50% off franchise fees and a compelling ramp-up royalty scale starting at only 1% in year one.
Tijuana Flats is seeking sophisticated franchise partners with multi-unit experience and the ability to open three or more locations.
Flats is primed for growth and will be aggressively expanding its franchise locations throughout the Southeast over the next three years. Tijuana Flats is seeking franchise partners interested in opening locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Based on the growing demand in these areas and the strength of the brand, Tijuana Flats anticipates these franchise opportunities will go quickly.
The brand recently launched an innovative new restaurant prototype that brings to life its “fast casual +” style with a fresh new look and maximized technology and convenience package, all with reduced build-out costs.
Tijuana Flats is long known for innovation and keeping a fresh perspective that uniquely builds loyal brand followers. Each restaurant features a signature hot sauce bar with up to 15 original and guest-favorite hot sauce flavors, as well as customized mural wall art to represent the local community it serves.
Since day one, Tijuana Flats has given back to the community and team members in times of need. The brand’s partner non-profit organization, The Just in Queso Foundation, has raised over $5,000,000 since 2007.
Tijuana Flats also boasts an industry-leading rewards app, recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Loyalty Programs. The app brings guests closer to the brand’s abundant portions through exclusive deals, loyalty perks, and more.
“This is an opportunity to franchise with one of the boldest brands in the fast-casual restaurant space,” said Joe Christina, CEO of Tijuana Flats. “Our goal is to open 50 restaurants in the next three years, and we are offering a robust financial model paired with an aggressive incentive program and flexible location opportunities. Tijuana Flats is a unique brand with strong name recognition, known for providing superb value by offering delicious fresh food and over-the-top-service, and we are excited to expand our footprint throughout the Southeast.”
With almost 40 years of restaurant operating experience, Joe Christina brings extensive franchising knowledge to the brand and is driving an aggressive franchising approach as part of the company’s strategic plan focused on developing winning teams, igniting growth, driving guest satisfaction, and delivering financial results.
“This is an amazing opportunity. Flats hasn’t offered franchise ownership for 15 years,” said Jamie Cecil, Vice President of Development and Franchise Operations at Tijuana Flats. “Interested franchisees should complete an application to take advantage of our limited-time incentive offer. Now is the best time to get involved with Tijuana Flats! We expect our brand’s growth over the next few years to be substantial.”
With bold flavors and colorful experiences piled high with big-hearted, over-the-top service, Tijuana Flats boasts a menu consisting of fresh, made-to-order tacos, burritos, and other Tex-Mex appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The Tex-Mex-For-All brand has been named to Newsweek’s 2023 list of America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains, Franchise Times Top 400 in 2022, Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Loyalty Programs, and received the National Restaurant Association’s 2018 Restaurant Neighbor Award.
To find out more about what makes Tijuana Flats the top franchise opportunity and the leading Mexican franchise to own, download our free “Hottest Investment in Tex-Mex” e-book today.