Qdoba looks to expand with 10 locations in NE Ohio

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Qdoba Mexican Eats is making inroads to expand with 10 locations throughout Northeast Ohio, the company announced this week.

The Mexican fast-casual eatery signed a multi-unit franchise development agreement to bring the restaurants to the Cleveland area in Geauga, Lake, Portage, Stark, Summit and Cuyahoga counties.

Site-selection process is still in the works, but a rep said target date for the initial opening in the region is by May 2023, with all 10 being built and opened by November 2027.

OM Ohio Queso Inc. – led by Amit Patel, Kalpesh Patel and Amanda Ristic – is spearheading the multi-unit deal for the Greater Cleveland franchises.

“There is no denying that the Mexican restaurant sector is hot right now, and I don’t think that heat will ever die down,” Amit Patel said in a news release.

The company said it is moving into “an aggressive growth phase,” aiming to expand to 2,000 units through existing franchisees adding units as well as signing new franchise agreements.

The company, founded in Denver in 1995, has more than 740 locations throughout the United States and Canada, offering burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas and nachos for menu or customized ordering.

I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning. Twitter: @mbona30.

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