With its 300th location opening earlier this year, barBurrito Fresh Mexican Grill aims to maintain its dynamic Canadian growth trajectory. According to Vice-President of Real Estate Ken Opper, “If we can find the 65 to 75 locations that we’ve opened in each of the past two years, we’ll do the deals.” With the primary target being grocery-anchored and power centre developments, acquisition of second generation QSR space is a very active area of pursuit. “We’re asking landlords to keep us aware of any closures or instances where existing tenants are inquiring about termination, or where renewal discussions are bogging down. We’re prepared to submit conditional paper if there is a potential opportunity, and in most cases, we will be prepared to accept space on an ‘as is’ basis,” he added. Interest is not limited to QSR turnover. The interest extends to any suitable premises. Operating across the country, in primary, secondary and even select smaller markets, units of 1,000 to 1,500 square feet are targeted, with visibility being the key criterion. Operating since 2005, BarBurrito Fresh Mexican Grill features limited seating and most often licensed, offering beer to accompany burritos, tacos, quesadillas and other Tex-Mex fare. The chain targets high visibility opportunities in grocery-anchored centres and power centres, in universities and colleges, in hospitals, in travel centres and on the street, in both primary and secondary markets across the country. Opper is handling the chains’ real estate requirements and Chief Business Development Officer Jeff Young is responsible for franchise growth.
BarBurrito Fresh Mexican Grill, 1120 Finch Ave. West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M3J 3H7 (Ken Opper – 416/578-0252 [email protected] www.barburrito.ca)