Free Reusable Tote Bags Offered that day at all Rubio's Locations
June 03, 2010 // Franchising.com // CARLSBAD, CA - With its fish taco heritage inspired by coastal Mexico, Rubio's passion for a healthy ocean is obvious. In honor of World Oceans Day, June 8, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill will give away free reusable tote bags (perfect for the beach or shopping), participate in a beach clean up, expand in-store recycling and introduce an eco-friendly Bottle Box salad bowl made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles into all of its 200 locations. These efforts represent a major step in Rubio's overall efforts to integrate a variety of sustainable practices, now showcased at rubios.com.
Plastic marine debris affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86 percent of all sea turtle species, 44 percent of all sea bird species, and 43 percent of marine mammal species, according to the California Coastal Commission. Because seafood makes up such a large part of Rubio's menu, preserving healthy sea life is a crucial to the organization's success.
"The health of our oceans is certainly top of mind as we follow the reports of the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico," said Ralph Rubio, co-founder and chairman of Rubio's. "World Oceans Day reminds us of our obligation as individuals and as a company to keep our oceans clean."
"Rubio's move toward recyclable, compostable and recycled packaging, as well as our efforts to expand in-store recycling represent the company's greater goal to reduce the overall amount of trash going to landfills and the ocean", added Rubio. "While, in many places, we are challenged by the lack of recycling infrastructure and services available to us, we're pleased to report that 25 percent of our stores will have glass and plastic recycling in place by the end of June. We hope to have all of our stores recycling by the end of 2011, where recycling facilities are available."
Rubio's new Social Responsibility web page exhibits the restaurant's plans and progress in using recycled, compostable, recyclable, reusable or FSC certified packaging and printed materials. The web page also lays out the company's goals for recycling; offering sustainable and nutritious food; community involvement; and specifics about Rubio's eco-friendly design elements in its new restaurants such as "smart lighting," the broad use of recycled materials, low VOC paints and energy and water-saving practices.
To encourage "ocean-friendly" practices among our guests, Rubio's will give away free reusable tote bags on June 8, to those who visit rubios.com/socialresponsibility/environment and print a complimentary coupon. The printable offer will be available June 7-8, and can be redeemed at all participating Rubio's locations on June 8, while supplies last.
Rubio's corporate employees in San Diego will also participate in one of our regularly scheduled beach cleanups in honor of World Oceans Day. The organization encourages others to find ways to help maintain clean oceans that day and beyond. Rubio's focuses on implementing sustainable practices and initiatives throughout its corporate headquarters and restaurants system-wide.
About Rubio's® Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUBO ) Bold, distinctive, Baja-inspired food is the hallmark of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill®. The first Rubio's was opened in 1983 in the Mission Bay community of San Diego by Ralph Rubio and his father, Ray Rubio. Rubio's is credited with introducing fish tacos to Southern California and starting a phenomenon that has spread coast to coast. In addition to chargrilled marinated chicken, lean carne asada steak, and slow-roasted pork carnitas, Rubio's menu features seafood items including grilled mahi mahi and shrimp. Guacamole and a variety of salsas and proprietary sauces are made from scratch daily, and Rubio's uses canola oil with zero grams Trans fat per serving. The menu includes tacos, burritos, salads and bowls, quesadillas, HealthMex® offerings which are lower in fat and calories, and domestic and imported beer in most locations. Each restaurant design is reminiscent of the relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere of Baja California, a coastal state of Mexico. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Rubio's operates, licenses or franchises more than 200 restaurants in California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Nevada.
Bold, distinctive, Baja-inspired food is the hallmark of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(R).