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

Find your local Chipotle: 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

Find your local Taco Bueno: 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: 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

Find your local Baja Fresh: here

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