Baja Fresh Franchise News

David Kim Steps Down To Pursue Other Interests
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill, operated by fast casual franchisor Fresh Enterprises, LLC, which also operates La Salsa Mexican Grill and Canyons Burger, today announced that Chuck Rink has been appointed to the position of CEO. Rink will take over all responsibilities of David Kim, who has left the company effective immediately. Rink has served as president of Fresh Enterprises, LLC since January 2008 and will now carry the title of President and CEO.
As CEO, Rink will focus on improving the performance of the Baja Fresh brand by focusing on the importance of the customer experience in each and every restaurant and by improving the design and execution of the products served...

Quick-Casual Fresh Mexican Chain to Open in Singapore
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first Singapore location at the Rendezvous Gallery on Bras Basah Road. Outfitted in a contemporary, intimate décor, the new location is perfect for dine-in guests or those on the go. Guests can choose from an array of tacos, burritos, salads and fajitas all featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients. The salsa bar encourages guests to choose from a selection of freshly made salsas, with at least one that will suit their taste-buds.
“...as a concept like this has never been done on the island. We believe that this well established world class American brand will be a hit with the customers here because of Baja Fresh’s focus on healthy, fresh, tasteful food at great prices...

Local Resident Awarded One of the Biggest Gift in the Show's History LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jose Manzanarez credits his focus on the American Dream to his upbringing—the blood, sweat and tears of his parents. In an episode of the hit CBS reality series "Undercover Boss" that aired last night (April 10), Manzanarez's own hard work and dedication were front and center.

The result was as much a surprise to Manzanarez as it was to the large viewing audience that the Emmy-nominated show commands each week.

After posing as a regular member of the rank-and-file workforce, Baja Fresh CEO David Kim presented the general manager with his own franchise—valued at more than $50,000—and a year's personal mentoring to ensure the success of the company's most recent—and youngest—franchisee...

$50,000 Franchise Award One of the Biggest Gifts in Show's History CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Baja Fresh CEO and serial entrepreneur David Kim knows what it takes to build restaurant empires from the ground up. And on last night's episode of CBS's hit series "Undercover Boss," Kim showed America what it means to give back when he offered a Baja Fresh franchise – valued at more than $50,000 – and personal mentoring to Las Vegas general manager Jose Manzanarez. The gift was among the biggest in the show's history.

"America is the greatest country on the planet," said Kim, who came to the United States from South Korea. "I wanted to give the Baja Fresh family a piece of the American Dream I've been blessed to experience...

Commitment to Quality and Core Values Makes Cambridge Mexican Foods' Bob Fetkin, Herminio Llevat, and Mike Brumagin "Franchisees of the Year" CYPRESS, Calif. -(BUSINESS WIRE)- Baja Fresh(R) Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, announced today that it has honored Florida restaurant group Cambridge Mexican Foods' Bob Fetkin, Herminio Llevat, and Mike Brumagin as the brand's Franchisees of the Year for 2009. The group owns and operates 4 Baja Fresh locations throughout the South Florida area. The honor of 2009 Franchisees of the Year is bestowed upon the owners and operators of Cambridge Mexican Foods due to continued commitment to quality, customer service, and sales growth at all of their Baja Fresh restaurants.

Cambridge Mexican Foods opened all four of their Baja Fresh locations between the years of 2001 & 2002, and in 2009 the restaurants continually showed growth in all areas of restaurant operations...

Quick-Causal Fresh Mexican Chain to Open in Dubai's World Famous Burj Khalifa

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first international location at the entrance of the world famous Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Outfitted in a contemporary, intimate décor, the new location is perfect for dine-in guests or those on the go. Guests can choose from an array of tacos, burritos, salads and fajitas all featuring fresh, and flavorful fire-grilled meats and produce. The salsa bar encourages guests to choose from a selection of freshly made salsas, with at least one that will suit their taste-buds.

The new 900 sq...

Fresh-Mexican Chain Opens New Baja Fresh Express in Las Vegas McCarran International Airport CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to announce the opening of its 13th Las Vegas Baja Fresh, located inside the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. The new restaurant offers flavorful, fresh, made to order tacos, burritos, and salads in an express format perfect for busy travelers on the go.

The 800 square foot restaurant is owned and operated by 25 year industry veteran Clarence A. Daniels Jr., Esq., who also owns an additional Baja Fresh Express in the San Diego International Airport. It will be open from 6am-11pm, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. When asked why he opened a Baja Fresh in its particular location Mr...

Franchisee signs on to open newly developed cohabitation concept

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canyons Burger Company and Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual Burger and Fresh-Mexican chains, are excited to announce two planned openings of a newly developed cohabitation concept. With the first scheduled to open in 2010 in Bozeman, MT, both Canyons Burger Company and Baja Fresh will be outfitted in a large single retail unit highlighting the full menus and décor of each of the brands respectively. This will be Canyons' first restaurant outside of Atlanta, and Baja Fresh's first restaurant in Montana. Canyons is known for its high quality gourmet burgers and rustic outdoor look; and Baja Fresh for its spacious contemporary environment and made to order tacos, burritos, fajitas, salads and limitless salsa bar...

Baja Fresh Opens New Baja Fresh Express Inside Courtyard Café CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, is continuing its 2009 expansion with the opening of the restaurant's newest Baja Fresh Express location inside Nashville's Vanderbilt Medical Center Courtyard Café. The new restaurant offers flavorful and fresh Mexican food in an express format perfect for busy students, faculty, patients and facility guests alike.

The 600 square foot restaurant is owned and operated by 20 year industry veteran Maria Nayyar. It is open from 10am-10pm, 7 days per week. When asked why she opened a Baja Fresh in its particular location Nayyar responded, "Vanderbilt Medical Center is a teaching hospital and employs 22,000 people...

Baja Fresh Continues 2009 Expansion CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to continue its 2009 expansion with the grand opening of its newest franchise location in Orlando, FL. It is the sixth Baja Fresh restaurant in Florida, the remainder being located in the Southern part of the state. Outfitted in a contemporary, intimate décor, the new location is perfect for dine-in guests or those on the go. The order counter features a redesigned menu board that promotes more customization, and the nearby salsa bar encourages guests to choose from 6 freshly made salsas, with at least one that will suit their taste-buds. Guests can enjoy the dining area equipped with wooden chairs and tables with Caesar Stone tops, while the use of warmer paints create a more upscale casual dining ambiance...

Baja Fresh Opens Second Manhattan Location in the Heart of Times Square

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to announce the grand opening of its second Baja Fresh in New York City this year. The new location offers flavorful and fresh Mexican food, for dine-in or take-out, in an environment perfect for native New Yorkers and travelers alike. The store celebrated its grand opening Wednesday September 16th by selling $2 burritos between the hours of 6pm and 8pm. The store also plans to start gaining exposure in the community by catering the non-profit Summer Search Young Leadership Committee fundraising event on September 29th.

The new Baja Fresh is located at 1441 Broadway just 1...

Baja Fresh Utilizes Social Media to Gain Exposure CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to announce that on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 the company gave away over 50,000 free burritos with the purchase of a regular drink.

The massive give-away, which created a 75% increase in guest traffic to Baja Fresh restaurants, came on the heels of a coupon posted to the company's official Facebook page intended to thank 1800 loyal fans for their support. While the company did not anticipate the overwhelming response to the Facebook Free Burrito Promotion, Baja Fresh President Charles Rink declared, "July 22nd was one of our most challenging and rewarding days in recent history...

Baja Fresh Opens 6th Franchise Location of 2009 CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, is continuing its 2009 expansion with the opening of the restaurant's sixth franchise location of the year on July 16, 2009. The company's new Baja Fresh Express location inside the Hilton Anaheim offers flavorful and fresh Mexican food in a process perfect for travelers on the go.

The new Baja Fresh Express is located at 777 W. Convention Way, inside the food court at the Hilton Anaheim, next to the Anaheim Convention Center, and a few blocks away from the Disneyland Resort. The planned 750 square foot restaurant is owned and operated by five year industry veterans, Vincent and Winnie Yee...

Baja Fresh to Open its First New York City Restaurant in May Cypress, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the fast-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to announce the projected grand opening of its newest location in the busy and vibrant City of New York. The new location will offer flavorful and fresh Mexican food, for dine-in or take-out, in a clean upbeat environment perfect for those on the go.

The new Baja Fresh will be located at 465 Lexington Avenue, just three blocks from bustling Grand Central Station and a number of large office buildings. The planned 2100 square foot restaurant will be spacious and outfitted in the bright, contemporary, clean, crisp design and artistic and natural lighting that has come to be associated with the Baja Fresh brand...

Downtown San Jose, CA Welcomes Baja Fresh Cypress, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain, is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest franchise location in downtown San Jose, CA. The new location, which officially opened on January 10, 2009, will offer flavorful and fresh Mexican food, for eat-in or take-out, in a clean upbeat environment.

The new Baja Fresh is located at 150 South 1st Street on a promenade between 1st and 2nd streets in downtown San Jose, CA. The location is only a few blocks away from McEnery Convention Center, one block from local courts, and across the street from the Fairmont Hotel and the San Jose Repertory Theatre (Susan and Phil Hammer Theatre Center), in the constantly developing downtown area...

Mr. Thomas Grady and Mr. Gene Savage Will Have Critical Roles in Helping Baja Fresh and La Salsa Accelerate Franchise Expansion

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California-based Fresh Enterprises announced today it has hired Thomas Grady and Gene Savage as Directors of franchise development. Mr. Grady and Mr. Savage both bring many years of experience in helping organizations grow through franchise development.

"As we continue to grow our business, Mr. Grady and Mr. Savage have critical roles. Both gentlemen bring the knowledge and background to assist in the accelerated growth of the franchise portion of our business based on the high demand for both concepts," says James Walker, Chief Development officer for Baja Fresh and La Salsa restaurants...

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, the California-based quick and casual fresh Mexican food chain, announced today that future immediate franchise growth would be targeted to three of the most heavily populated markets in the United States, New York City, Boston and Atlanta.

The new drive to franchise in these markets is being spearheaded by James Walker, Chief Development Officer for Baja Fresh. "The franchise development department is pleased with the initial response we have received in all three of these highly populated upwardly mobile markets. We feel that our demographic target matches perfectly with the demographics in these three markets," says James Walker. "We would plan to have multiple locations signed and construction begun before the end of 2008...

Orange County Baja Fresh Customers Can Order via LiveOnTheGo.com for Online Take out Orders and Reorder While on the Go From Their Web-Enabled Mobile Device

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LiveOnTheGo.com™, the convenient, free online service that allows users to order and pay for take out food in advance and have it ready when they want it, today announced that a franchise of local Orange County Baja Fresh Restaurants will be offering online take out directly from LiveOnTheGo.com via the Web or re-ordering by any Web-enabled PDA or cellular phone.

LiveOnTheGo.com allows users to search for their local Baja Fresh, by proximity and by scrolling through menu items. There's no convenience charge, mandatory tip or hidden fees and orders are ready at specified pick-up/delivery times...

To Celebrate the Grand Opening the New Location is Donating 10 Percent of their First Week's Sales to The American Cancer Society

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill, the quick-casual fresh Mexican chain and Restaurants & Institutions Platinum award-winning Mexican Chain in America, today announced the grand opening of its 15th Oregon location with a new restaurant at 11685 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, Oregon. The new location will offer flavorful and fresh Mexican food, for eat-in or take-out, in a clean upbeat environment. As part of the celebration the new Tigard Oregon Baja Fresh will be donating 10 percent of the first week sales total to The American Cancer Society. Any purchase made throughout the grand opening week, December 9 – December 15, 2007, at the SW Pacific Highway location, will add to the restaurant's charitable gift...

New Ownership Lays Out Strategic Growth Plans for Baja Fresh and La Salsa Locations

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California-based Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, voted the Platinum award-winning Mexican Chain in America by Restaurants & Institutions, announced today Baja Fresh and La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills have laid out strategic plans for growth and are poised for expansion throughout the United States and into International markets. Under new ownership, the company will focus its expansion efforts on strategic markets, including California, Nevada, Washington D.C., Missouri, Illinois, Georgia and Florida to name a few and on growing the company internationally.

"Baja Fresh and La Salsa are strategically focused on growing into new markets and on an international scale whether through franchise opportunities or new locations," said James Walker, president of Baja Fresh...