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 on January 5, 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 at 1784 Picasso Avenue, Suite B, Davis, California 95616, the company continues to operate its core corporate functionality from this location. In recent years, the franchise launched its dedicated franchising arm 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.

Training

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Franchise Principal Orientation (For Transfers)
   In cases of ownership transfers, new franchise principals must attend and complete a specialized orientation program if they haven’t previously undergone the initial training.

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. Furthermore, Dos Coyotes may alter territory terms in future agreements or under certain conditions not fully detailed in the disclosure.