Pancheros Franchise Corporation
Pancheros Mexican Grill
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurants
Founded1992; 32 years ago (1992)[1]
FounderRodney Anderson
HeadquartersCoralville, Iowa, U.S.
Number of locations
73
Area served
United States
Key people
Rodney Anderson (President)
Websitepancheros.com

Pancheros Mexican Grill is a chain of fast casual Tex Mex restaurants in the United States serving Mexican-style cuisine. The chain was founded in 1992 by Rodney Anderson when he opened two units: one in Iowa City, Iowa (near the University of Iowa campus), and one in East Lansing, Michigan (near the Michigan State University campus).[2][3] As of 2023, there are 73 units throughout the country.[4] Pancheros is known for making their tortillas on site, at the time the order is placed.[5] In 2006, Sports Illustrated voted Pancheros the most popular place to eat when bars in Iowa City close.[6]

History

An interior view of a Pancheros

In 1992, Anderson, after just receiving his MBA from the University of Chicago, opened the first Pancheros with capital made from the stock market. The first store was opened in Iowa City, next to the University of Iowa campus,[2] while the second location opened the same year in East Lansing, Michigan, near the Michigan State University campus.[3] The next 9 locations opened in similar midwestern college towns. It wasn't until 1998 that Pancheros was revamped to include the addition of a dough press for the famous fresh-pressed tortillas, and an updated, more upscale restaurant decor.[2] In 2003 its first non-corporate store opened. Their mascot, Bob the Tool, was first introduced in restaurants in April 2007.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wood, Gigi (2010-10-08). "Panchero's plans additional store openings this year, next". Corridor Business. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  2. ^ a b c "The Pancheros Franchise Story". Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  3. ^ a b Parker, Dawn. "Pancheros, Mexican food staple in East Lansing, closes". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  4. ^ "Pancheros Mexican Grill Signs Agreement to Expand the Brand's Presence in Missouri | International Franchise Association". www.franchise.org. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  5. ^ "Burrito Blog: Panchero's". burritoblog.com. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Sports Illustrated". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  7. ^ "Pancheros marking anniversary of Bob the Tool with freebies". www.fastcasual.com. 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2024-02-19.

External links

Fast food and fast casual restaurant chains in the United States
Categories