Cilantro Taco Grill

Cilantro Taco Grill Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Cilantro Taco Grill is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant serving authentic, flavorful dishes made with fresh ingredients, offering a modern twist on traditional Mexican cuisine.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

n.a.

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$273,000 - $731,000

Revenue (AUV)

$1,069,000

n.a.

Founded in 2013 by Temoc Morfin in Chicago's Stone Park neighborhood, Cilantro Taco Grill began as a family-owned taqueria inspired by his father, 'Don Javi' Morfin, who immigrated from Guadalajara, Jalisco. The brand quickly gained popularity for its authentic Mexican cuisine, leading to the opening of 15 locations across the Chicagoland area.

In 2023, Cilantro Taco Grill launched its franchising program, partnering with key industry experts to expand nationwide. By 2024, the brand secured six franchise agreements, adding 110 units across Illinois, Texas, Florida, and California. The first franchise location opened in Wheeling, Illinois, marking a significant milestone in the brand's growth.

The franchise offers a menu featuring traditional Jalisco recipes, including tacos, burritos, and salsas, crafted from family recipes.

Cilantro Taco Grill differentiates itself by staying true to its roots, offering genuine Mexican flavors in a fast-casual setting. The brand’s commitment to quality, community empowerment, and technological innovation positions it as a standout in the competitive Mexican fast-casual dining sector.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Cilantro Taco Grill franchise is $273,000 - $731,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$35,000
Delayed Opening Fee	$0 - $9,000
Your Training Expenses	$1,500 - $4,000
Premises deposits	$5,000 - $10,000
Rent – 3 months	$15,000 to $30,000
Design and Architect Fees	$5,000 - $15,000
On-Site Location Evaluation	$0 to $500
Leasehold Improvements, Construction and/or Remodeling	$85,000 - $250,000
Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures	$45,000 - $150,000
Interior and Exterior Signage	$10,000 - $20,000
Business Licenses and Permits	$1,000 - $5,000
Computer Systems	$8,000 - $20,000
Computer Systems – Installation and Training	$0 - $2,000
Initial Inventory	$15,000 - $30,000
Professional Fees	$500 - $1,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$15,000
Insurance	$2,000 - $4,000
Ancillary Real Estate Costs	$5,000 - $25,000
Third-Party Training	$0 - $4,800
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 - $100,000
TOTAL	$273,000 - $730,800

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$35,000
Delayed Opening Fee	$0 - $9,000
Your Training Expenses	$1,500 - $4,000
Premises deposits	$5,000 - $10,000
Rent – 3 months	$15,000 to $30,000
Design and Architect Fees	$5,000 - $15,000
On-Site Location Evaluation	$0 to $500
Leasehold Improvements, Construction and/or Remodeling	$85,000 - $250,000
Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures	$45,000 - $150,000
Interior and Exterior Signage	$10,000 - $20,000
Business Licenses and Permits	$1,000 - $5,000
Computer Systems	$8,000 - $20,000
Computer Systems – Installation and Training	$0 - $2,000
Initial Inventory	$15,000 - $30,000
Professional Fees	$500 - $1,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$15,000
Insurance	$2,000 - $4,000
Ancillary Real Estate Costs	$5,000 - $25,000
Third-Party Training	$0 - $4,800
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 - $100,000
TOTAL	$273,000 - $730,800

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Cilantro Taco Grill's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Cilantro Taco Grill had 15 total units in 2024, of which 0 were franchised-owned and 15 company-owned.

Competitors

Below are some of

Cilantro Taco Grill

key competitors in the

Mexican

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

n.a.

6.00%

$273,000

$731,000

$1,069,000

n.a.

ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

Over $500K

New

4.00%

$2,426,000

$5,058,000

$2,307,000

n.a.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop

Over $500K

116

New

-13%

5.00%

$518,000

$1,556,000

$1,809,000

n.a.

Mike's Red Tacos

Over $500K

New

n.a.

5.00%

$640,000

$1,988,000

n.a.

Talkin' Tacos

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

6.50%

$271,000

$575,000

n.a.

Ori'Zaba's

Over $500K

New

5.00%

$500,000

$883,000

$1,289,000

n.a.

Del Taco

Over $500K

461

New

53%

5.00%

$1,497,000

$3,321,000

$1,541,000

16.2%

Training

Cilantro Taco Grill provides a multi-tiered training program to ensure that franchisees and their teams are equipped to successfully operate their locations. The franchisor outlines several distinct training components as part of the franchise agreement:

HQ Initial Training Program
Prior to opening, the franchisee, along with key personnel (General Manager and two Managers), must attend and satisfactorily complete the HQ Initial Training. This program, conducted in Chicago or another designated location, covers essential operations and is included in the initial franchise fee for the first three attendees. Additional trainees must pay a separate training fee and bear all related travel, lodging, and meal expenses.
Pre-Opening On-Site Training
Around the opening of the restaurant, a trained representative from Cilantro Taco Grill provides up to 10 days of on-site supervision and assistance. This support helps the franchisee transition from training to live operations effectively, ensuring all systems are correctly implemented.
Ongoing and Mandatory Annual Training
Franchisees are required to participate in up to five days of additional training annually, which may include attendance at national business meetings or conventions. These sessions, held at locations chosen by the franchisor, are mandatory and come with a fee, as well as the franchisee’s responsibility for travel and related costs.

Territory Protection

Cilantro Taco Grill grants franchisees a designated Territory for operating a single location, and during the agreement term, no other Cilantro Taco Grill outlet will be allowed within that Territory if the franchisee remains in good standing.

However, this does not include exclusive rights, and franchisees may still face competition from other franchisees or company-owned locations nearby. Territory rights exclude “Non-Traditional Sites” like airports, stadiums, and schools, even if these fall within the assigned area.

Additionally, the franchisor may distribute products through retail, ghost kitchens, or other channels within or near the Territory without breaching the agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising

2023

Franchisees

n.a.

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$273,000 - $731,000

Revenue (AUV)

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$1,069,000

n.a.

Operating Profit

n.a.

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