Chipotle is among the most famous fast-casual restaurant brands in North America. It was founded in 1993 and the company name has become synonymous with Mexican delicacies like burritos and tacos. Chipotle dishes are made with fresh, organic produce of the finest quality so it is no wonder they have an endless supply of customers. In the same vein, Chipotle also has a significant number of competitors with similar product offerings and target markets.

Their livestock and farm produce are raised humanely and are ethically sourced which means it’s great for those customers who are concerned with more than just the taste of their food. Keep reading to find our list of Chipotles major competitors.

1. Taco Bell.

  • Founded: March 21, 1962
  • Headquarters: Irvine California, United States

Need to know

Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell, who started off selling hot dogs in California. He noticed a demand for Mexican-style food from a restaurant on the street opposite his Drive-in and worked to develop his take on their recipe. Noticing the popularity of fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle, Taco Bell decided to expand their menu to include foods similar to what was served in Chipotle. They specialize in a range of Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes just like Chipotle.

A good number of Taco Bell outlets are franchises and owned by Licensees. The brand was acquired by PepsiCo in 1978. Yum! Foods is the brand name of PepsiCo’s restaurant division.

2. Qdoba Mexican Eats

  • Founded: 1995
  • Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States

Need to know

Qdoba Mexican Eats is a Mexican-style restaurant servicing healthier options to traditional Mexican foods. One of its founders attended the American Culinary school and used the knowledge he gained to create recipes using more vegetables and herbs. The brand prides itself in preparing all of its ingredients and meals in-house, from scratch, taking care to ensure food is made cleanly and sustainably.

The restaurant was originally called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill. They had to change the name twice because of lawsuits from similar-sounding names with other Mexican-style restaurants in the area. The brands believed it infringed on their tradenames so the name ‘Qdoba’ was formed in 1999.

3. Rubios Coastal Grill.

  • Founded: 1983
  • Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, United States

Need to know

Rubios Coastal Grill was founded by Ralph Rubio. Their menu is focused on Mexican-style food and their specialty is fish tacos. Fish tacos were rather uncommon in his area, but after Ralph tried some at a stand in Baja, California he was inspired to start his own restaurant. Fish tacos have now become more common in other areas around California. Their menu is made up of a variety of one-of-a-kind seafood recipes across the different restaurants. The brand has won several awards for its innovative fish taco recipes.

In 2010, the Rubios Coastal Grill announced its merger with Mill Road Capital. By October 2020, the company filed for bankruptcy.

4. Freebirds World Burrito.

  • Founded: 1987
  • Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States

Need to know

Freebirds World Burrito is owned by Tavistock Group. Tavistock acquired the brand in 2007 from founder Mark Orfalea. It was founded in Isla Vista. Their main offerings are different kinds of Burritos just as the name suggests. They specialize in the mission burrito, a type of burrito popularized in San Francisco which is larger and contains more rice than the typical burrito.

In addition to burritos, they also serve a variety of other Mexican-inspired foods like Nachos and Tacos.

5. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

  • Founded: August 1990
  • Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Need to know

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill was founded by Jim and Linda Magglo in Newbury Park, California. The restaurants adopt a self-serve serving style and pride themselves on their farm-fresh ingredients. They do not use processed ingredients and all menu items are handmade. The brand quickly grew to almost 300 stores after just a few years in the late ’90s. The restaurant was acquired by Wendy’s in 2002 but due to declining sales, they sold it off after just a few years to BF Acquisition Holdings. Baja Fresh franchise stores have also been opened across the world in Dubai and Singapore.

BF Acquisition Holdings was later sold to MTY Food Group.

6. Moe’s Southwest Grill.

  • Founded: December 2000
  • Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Need to know

Moe’s Southwest Grill stands for Musicians Outlaws and Entertainers. The team is outgoing and friendly and welcomes each guest with background music from artists who left the world too soon. They allow guests the creative freedom to make their own meals with items from their list of over 20 ingredients. Their menu is also inspired by pop culture references which capture the fun nature of the business. Moe’s Southwest Grill is part of Focus Brand’s.

In 2011, the brand expanded its franchise and opened its first branch outside of the United States in Turkey. Since then, they have opened branches in Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Russia.

7. Wahoos Fish Tacos.

  • Founded: 1988
  • Headquarters: Tustin, California, United States

Need to know

Wahoos Fish Tacos is was founded by 3 brothers in Costa Mesa California. The brothers mixed the flavor of their Asian Brazilian heritage with the amazing Mexican foods they tasted on their travels to Mexico. Their menu is very accommodating and offers vegan options for non-meat eaters. They also have a kids’ menu. Although Wahoos is classed as a fast casual restaurant, their food preparation times vary between that of a formal restaurant and a fast-food chain.

They specialize in fish tacos, which was one of their first offerings when the restaurant was first opened. Although they started from small beginnings, Wahoos now has over 60 restaurants in their chain scattered across different locations in California.

8. Chevy’s Fresh Mex.

  • Founded: 1986
  • Headquarters: Cypress, California, United States

Need to know

Chevy’s Fresh Mex is a casual dining restaurant that serves Mexican-inspired cuisine. It was founded by Warren Simmons in Alameda California. The restaurant puts its own unique spin on the dining experience and table presentation. Their cantina serves a variety of fresh handmade drinks and happy hour deals. All meals are made fresh from scratch in the restaurants affirming the good times and good food the restaurant is known for.

Since it was founded, the restaurant has been acquired by several brands but it is now owned by Xperience Restaurant Group.

9. Del Taco

  • Founded: September 1964
  • Headquarters: Lake Forest, California, United States

Need to know

Del Taco was founded by David Jameson and Ed Hackbarth and was originally called Casa Del Taco. The restaurant was wildly successful when it first opened and they serve a variety of American-style Mexican cuisine. The name was officially changed to Del Taco in 1973. The founders sold the company to investors who continued to open new stores across California.

The brand launched a $14 million rebranding campaign in 1992. They changed their logo, restaurant designs, and kitchen. The new logo is a sun rising over mountains, representing the colors in their main ingredients which are cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce.

10. Taco Cabana

  • Founded: September 1978
  • Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States

Need to know

Taco Cabana is a Mexican fast-casual restaurant founded by Felix Stehling. Stehling owned a successful bar in Midtown San Antonio and when the bar needed some extra space for parking, he purchased the vacant Dairy Queen in the next lot.

He started a taco stand which was also quite successful. His taco stand was converted into a 24-hour store after his patio-style taco stand was robbed of all its furniture.

Taco Cabana is a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant group. Its signature black and pink design was created by Felix’s wife, Jo Stehling.

SOURCES