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.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
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:
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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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