Qdoba plans dozens of restaurants in Nashville and Atlanta
Qdoba outlines plans for 50 new restaurants in Nashville and Atlanta as part of its ambitious growth strategy.
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Qdoba Mexican Eats has signed development agreements for 50 new restaurants in Nashville and Atlanta, part of a goal to open 100 locations annually. The growth follows recent acquisitions and partnerships, positioning Qdoba to expand its franchise footprint significantly over the coming years.
Why It Matters
This expansion could compress available territories in Nashville and Atlanta, potentially affecting multi-unit operators seeking franchise opportunities in those markets. Additionally, the move signals Qdoba's aggressive growth strategy, which could influence franchisee valuations and risk assessments.
Qdoba Mexican Eats has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its presence in the Southeastern U.S., particularly targeting Nashville and Atlanta. The fast-casual Mexican chain has entered into two development agreements that will enable the opening of a combined total of 50 new restaurants in these markets. This initiative is part of Qdoba's broader goal of launching 100 new restaurants annually, aiming to double its footprint to around 2,000 locations over the next eight years.
Leading this expansion is Barry Dubin, Founder and CEO of B Wild Investments LLC, which has significantly committed to the Qdoba brand. In particular, one of B Wild's operators, a former McDonald's franchisee, is set to launch 20 new Qdoba locations in Nashville, while another franchise entity will operate the Atlanta market. Qdoba's Chief Development Officer, Jeremy Vitaro, commented, “We're thrilled to partner with proven franchise operators who share our people-first culture, exceptional standards for guest service, and commitment to disciplined growth.” Vitaro, who joined Qdoba from Little Caesars, emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships in accelerating growth.
Qdoba currently operates over 865 restaurants and is transitioning towards a franchised model, targeting 85% of its locations to be franchised. Supporting this growth is a recent $435 million whole business securitization, which follows a $527 million fund raised by its parent company, Butterfly Equity, in 2025. Additionally, B Wild Investments has made waves by acquiring 22 Qdoba restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, bringing its total to 42 locations across several states.
With these extensive development commitments in place, including a separate 63-unit agreement from B Wild Investments across various states, Qdoba is solidifying its position in the competitive fast-casual dining sector. Dubin stated, “Mexican fast casual is one of the most attractive segments in restaurants, and Qdoba has the brand, menu, and unit economics to win,” highlighting the franchise's favorable unit economics and growth potential.
As Qdoba moves forward with these expansions, monitoring the pace of new openings and the activation of new financing arrangements will be key indicators of the brand's system health and ability to sustain its aggressive growth strategy.
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