Type of Food: Tacos, Burritos, Fajitas

Interesting Facts: In 2001, Chipotle released a mission statement called “Food With Integrity”, which highlighted Chipotle’s commitment to naturally raised meat, organic produce, and dairy without added hormones. All of Chipotle’s chicken and pork are naturally raised (i.e., open-range, antibiotic free, and with a vegetarian diet), as well as 50% of the beef. Also, approximately 30% of the beans are organically grown.

History: In 1993, Steve Ells opened the first Chipotle in Denver, Colorado in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream Store near the University of Denver campus using an $85,000 loan from his father.

In 1998, McDonald’s made an initial minority investment in the company. By 2001, they had grown to be Chipotle’s largest investor.McDonald’s investment allowed the firm to quickly expand, from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 by 2005. On January 26, 2006, Chipotle made its IPO, after increasing the share price twice due to high pre-IPO demand. In its first day as a public company, the stock rose exactly 100%, resulting in the best U.S.-based IPO in six years, and the second-best IPO for a restaurant after Boston Chicken (now Boston Market). The money from the offering was then used to fund new store growth.

In October 2006, McDonald’s fully divested its investment in Chipotle, part of a larger initiative to divest all of its non-core business restaurants

As of March 2009, 830 restaurants have since opened throughout the United States and Canada.All are company-owned, rather than franchised. Founder Steve Ells still serves as chairman and CEO of the company.

Website: www.chipotle.com

View the menu: here

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Name: El Pollo Loco

Type of Food: Mexican focused on grilled chicken

Interesting Fact: On July 31, 1995 El Pollo Loco earns a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for building the world’s largest burrito in Anaheim, California. The burrito is 3,112 feet long and weighs two tons.

History: It all started in 1975, in the small town of Guasave on Mexico’s Pacific Coast a roadside chicken stand named El Pollo Loco (pronounced “L-Po-yo Lo-co” and Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken”) by Juan Francisco Ochoa. Its signature menu item was (and remains) unique– fresh, natural chicken marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices and citrus juices passed down from the founding family. News of El Pollo Loco spread rapidly throughout Northern Mexico. By 1979, El Pollo Loco restaurants could be found in a variety of Northern Mexico cities. Shortly after, news of the delicious marinated chicken traveled across the border into the United States. In 1980, people lined up around the block as the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles. It quickly expanded and by 1991, there were 200 El Pollp Loco locations.  In 1998, El Pollo Loco added self-serve salsa bars in its restaurants, allowing customers the opportunity to personalize menu selections with El Pollo Loco signature salsas, including  its famous House Salsa, Spicy Chipotle Salsa, Avocado Salsa and Pico de Gallo. Other El Pollo Loco favorites include made-to-order signature grilled burritos, The Original Pollo Bowl®, Pollo Salads, Tacos al Carbon, quesadillas, Chicken Tortilla Soup and more. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, El Pollo Loco, Inc. is a privately held company owned by Trimaran Capital Partners and company management. El Pollo Loco opened 30 new restaurants during 2008. As of December 31, 2008, there were 413 El Pollo Loco restaurants: 247 owned by franchisees and 166 owned and operated by the company. The restaurants are located in the following U.S. states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Website: www.elpolloloco.com

View the menu: here

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Name: Taco Tico

Type of Food: Burrito, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos

Interesting Fact: This is Howard Stern Show regular Richard Christy’s favourite restaurant.

History: Taco Tico was founded by Dan and Robin Foley in 1962 in their native Wichita, Kansas.They began franchising new locations in 1967. The company kept expanding and was a regional hit by the 1980′s. Today, Taco Tico has restaurants throughout the Midwest and Southeast.

Website: www.tacotico.com

View the menu: here

Find your local Taco Tico: here

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Type of Food: Burrito, nachos, chimichanga, quesadillas

Interesting Fact: Founder Bill Waugh also founded Casa Bonita, a chain with two remaining locations in Lakewood, Colorado, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

History: Taco Bueno was started by Bill Waugh, an Abilene Christian University art graduate in 1967. The company has locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. The chain currently has 169 restaurants. The company is currently owned by Palladium Equity Partners.

Website: www.tacobueno.com

View the menu: here

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Type of Food: Burritos, Fajitas, Tacos, Quesadilla

Interesting Fact: Nearly 150 million people see a Taco Bell commercial once a week – more than half of the U.S. population. Over 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos of all varieties are served in Taco Bell restaurants each year.

History: Originated by Glen Bell, Taco Bell® became a reality on March 21, 1962. The first Taco Bell® restaurant was built in Downey, California, and the first franchise was sold in 1964. Taco Bell® went public in 1969 and was acquired by PepsiCo in 1978. In October of 1997, PepsiCo spun off KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell®, thereby forming Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest restaurant company with revenues in excess of $22 billion. In May of 2002, Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. changed its name to Yum! Brands, Inc., after acquiring Long John Silver’s and A&W All-American Food Restaurants. Today there are 6,500 restaurants in the U.S. and over 280 restaurants in 17 other countries.

Website: www.tacobell.com

View the menu: here

Find your local Taco Bell: here

Type of Food: Offers a dual menu of both American and Mexican-style food options.

Interesting Fact:Baker’s logo does not contain the color red, which is almost true of all major fast-food brands.

History: Neal Baker started Baker’s Drive-thru in 1952 with a restaurant on Highland Avenue in San Bernardino. He opened his second restaurant the following year in Rialto. By 2004, Neal T. Baker Enterprises, the restaurant chain’s parent company, employed about 1,500 people and operated 35 Baker’s Drive-Thru restaurants, all in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Website: www.bakersdrivethru.com

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Type of Food: Burritos, Fajitas, Tacos, Quesadilla

Interesting Fact: The Baja Fresh philosophy is incorporated into every aspect of their restaurants. This includes excluding the use of freezers, microwaves and can openers in every location.

History: In August 1990, Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill opened its first restaurant featuring all-fresh, traditional fire-grilled Mexican favourites. Since it’s first restaurant in Newbury Park, California, Baja Fresh has expanded to more than 300 Mexican style restaurants. Baja Fresh has been now a wholly owned subsidiary of Wendy’s International since June 21, 2002.

Website: www.bajafresh.com

View the menu: here

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