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Peter Ortiz

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QDOBA Mexican Eats Opens 400th Franchise Location

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has opened its 400th franchise location (pictured). The landmark opening underscores the brand’s dynamic development strategy to expand to 2,000 units. QDOBA’s growth will be fueled by blending a mix of current franchisees expanding their portfolios, new franchisee acquisition and corporate development. QDOBA’s 400th franchise restaurant had its grand opening on Jan. 19 in Brighton, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. The modernized QDOBA features several of the brand’s recent innovations, including a new drive-thru …

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Plans in Motion

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Tim Welsh, Chief Development Officer — QDOBA was already making key changes prior to the pandemic.   With a variety of smaller floor plans and a revamped digital suite already in the works pre-COVID, QDOBA Mexican Eats was on the right track — little did it know — to have the best possible chance to weather a global pandemic. Today, the Mexican fast-casual franchise continues with plans to open 30 new restaurants before year end and to have 1,000 open restaurants within the next 5 years. With …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

QDOBA Mexican Eats Unveils New Floorplans and Restaurant Concepts, Designed for Growth

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats®, the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has introduced new restaurant formats that set the stage for continued growth. QDOBA’s new concepts feature buildouts including mobile-order drive-thrus, walk-up windows, mobile-order pickup lockers, dedicated curbside pickup areas, ghost kitchens and concepts with updated outdoor seating. The new formats come on the heels of a major multi-unit franchise development strategy announced last month that is set to grow the brand to 2,000 units. “Today’s customer wants a frictionless, safe experience and we’re evolving to …

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QDOBA Mexican Eats Hires VP of Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats, the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has hired franchising industry veteran Peter Ortiz as vice president of franchise development. In his new role, Ortiz will be directing the 730-unit brand’s strategic franchise expansion across key markets in the U.S. and Canada. He joined the brand in mid-August from Potbelly. In recent years, QDOBA set the stage for continued growth by hiring over 100 corporate employees at its new San Diego headquarters, establishing a more distinctive brand identity and expanding its menu …

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Potbelly Inks Multi-Unit Deal to Open Restaurants Inside Macy’s Stores 

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Potbelly Sandwich Shop, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to open shops in Macy’s department stores, adding to the fast-casual brand’s significant multi-unit franchise growth in 2019. “This franchise agreement marks a major milestone in our multi-unit franchise growth,” says Peter Ortiz, vice president of franchise development at Potbelly. “A development deal with one of the nation’s premier retailers is a testament to our focus and prioritization of our franchising initiative. We’re thrilled for what’s in store for the future with Macy’s.” The …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Potbelly to Open 10 Locations in Las Vegas

by Katie Lee

Las Vegas — Potbelly Sandwich Shop has signed a franchise agreement to open 10 shops in the Las Vegas market. Eric Persson, an experienced, multi-brand restaurant operator and owner, will be bringing Potbelly to the area. The deal marks the brand’s entry into the region. “I’m thrilled to break into the fast-casual restaurant segment with a proven brand,” says Persson, who is a longtime local Las Vegas resident and an accomplished entrepreneur. “Potbelly hits the mark on exactly what I am seeking to diversify my portfolio. I’m excited to help …

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