Dos Coyotes is a Southwestern fast-casual franchise offering burritos, tacos, salads, and fire-roasted specialties, serving families and office crowds, and known for bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a relaxed, border-inspired atmosphere.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
2
+
0%
0%
Franchise fee
?
$40,000
Investment
?
$1,472,000 - $1,794,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,670,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Dos Coyotes Border Café is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that brings fresh, Southwestern-inspired cuisine to communities seeking bold flavors and a vibrant dining experience.
Founded and opened its first location in Davis, California in 1991, the brand was born from the owner’s love of both Los Angeles street-Mexican cuisine and Santa Fe’s adventurous Southwest flavors.
Headquartered in Davis, California, the company launched its dedicated franchising arm in 2013 through Dos Coyotes Development Company, LLC, a Nevada limited-liability company registered to sell franchises in most U.S. states.
The menu features signature items such as flame-broiled steak or chicken tacos wrapped in warm corn tortillas, along with seasonally rotating specials, salads, burritos, and sides — all rooted in what the brand describes as “fresh • local • delicious.”
What sets Dos Coyotes apart from traditional Tex-Mex competitors is its emphasis on Southwestern fusion — blending Santa Fe and Los Angeles influences — paired with a commitment to quality ingredients, sustainability, and community engagement.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Dos Coyotes franchise is
$1,472,000 - $1,794,000.
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
Construction Costs
$670,000 - $750,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Décor, Kitchen Equipment, Other Equipment, and Signs
$495,000 - $601,500
Initial Inventory
$55,000 - $71,500
Total "Hard" Costs
$1,220,000 - $1,423,000
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000
Opening Assistance and Training Fee & Expenses
$20,000 - $22,500
Training Wages and Related Travel and Living Expenses
Dos Coyotes provides a structured and comprehensive training program for franchisees and their management staff to ensure successful restaurant operations. The training includes multiple components:
Designated Operator and Restaurant Manager Training Program This is the core training required for franchisees. It spans approximately eight weeks and includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training at a company-operated restaurant. Topics covered include orientation, menu and plate presentation, recipes and food preparation, kitchen operations, equipment use, food handling, line stations, dishwashing, and managerial duties.
Opening Assistance and Employee Training Before the restaurant opens, the franchisor provides hands-on assistance and employee training, which includes a mandatory fee of $15,000. This service includes support during mock service sessions and pre-opening events, followed by assistance during the opening phase.
Post-Opening Advisory Support After opening, the franchisor offers ongoing support, including periodic site visits and operational advice to ensure continued adherence to brand standards and optimal performance.
Continuing Education and Refresher Courses The franchise requires franchisees and designated employees to attend refresher courses and training sessions introducing new products or procedures. These sessions may carry a reasonable fee.
Territory Protection
Dos Coyotes grants territory protection to its franchisees under specific conditions outlined in the franchise agreement. Franchisees are required to operate their restaurant at a designated, franchisor-approved location.
Once established, Dos Coyotes agrees not to open another franchise-operated location within a five-mile radius of the existing restaurant's front door, establishing what is known as the “Protected Area.”
However, this protection is not absolute and comes with limitations. The agreement does not guarantee exclusivity beyond the immediate five-mile radius, and the franchisor retains the right to sell products through alternative channels such as grocery stores or online platforms.
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