A Legacy of Flavor and a Future of Bold Growth

Making the World a More Flavorful Place™

Qdoba Catering Setup

At QDOBA, we crave a world filled with flavor. Not just the mouthwatering, flame-grilled, freshly diced in-house kind. We celebrate the flavor our community brings.

From our friendly staff to our lively guests, it’s the people who make our world flavorful. That’s why our sauces, salsas and toppings come free with every meal (lookin’ at you, guac and queso). Because flavor inspires flavor.

So be the spicy nachos this universe needs. When you live and breathe flavor, others will do the same. That’s how together, we’re making the world a more flavorful place.

To learn more about our food philosophy and Clean Label Pledge, visit qdoba.com.

Our Brand Pillars

Hospitality

We believe in kindness and respect for all, and we know that every individual makes a difference.

Positivity

People with positive attitudes make better co-workers. They focus on what can be done and inspire others to do the same.

Performance

We are a company of high performers dedicated to greatness!

A Hand-Crafted Path to Success

QDOBA has a history of innovation that led us to become a successful, established brand. Today, we are one of the best fast-casual franchise opportunities available. Follow our journey from one store to 750+ locations across 47 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

QDOBA favicon
1995
6th Ave & Grant St sign

Founded as Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill in Denver, Colorado

1997
ZTeca Fresh Mexican Grill

Name changed to Z-TECA

1999
QDOBA Mexican Grill

Name changed to QDOBA Mexican Grill

2005
200 Franchise

Opened our 200th store

QDOBA favicon
2011
600 Franchise

Opened our 600th store

2012
Q inside maple leaf

First international location opened in Canada

2015
QDOBA Mexican Eats

Name changed to QDOBA Mexican Eats®

2019
person holding up 2MM sign

Reached 2 million rewards members

QDOBA favicon
2019
700 franchise

Opened our 700th store

2022
Q on a coffee cup

Expanded sustainable packaging with 100% recyclable strawless lids and compostable bowls

2022
Puerto Rican flag

Opened first location in Puerto Rico

2022
Butterfly + QDOBA

Acquired by Butterfly Private Equity

QDOBA favicon

2024

award

USA Today 10Best, #1 Fast-Casual Restaurant (5 years running)

2024

hire

Hired Leo Burnett to launch National Media

Fresh Ideas That Set Us Apart

No microwaves. No freezers. No can openers.

QDOBA Pride is our commitment to serving fresh, flavorful food combinations that outshine the competition and keep our guests coming back.

Our flavorful Mexican food is made in house.

We have more flavors and tastes than our competitors.

We only use high-quality ingredients.

Our flexible menu fits with our guests' lifestyles.

QDOBA Exterior

A Flavorful History

Founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1995, QDOBA has been serving up fresh Mexican food for over 25 years. Innovation, change and experience have helped improve and grow the brand into what it is today.

2 people share Qdoba nachos

Rewards to Savor

QDOBA Star

QDOBA’s loyalty program was named America’s Best Loyalty Program the last 3 years in a row, Highest Amongst Fast-Casual in 2022 and top ranking Mexican Fast-Casual in 2024 by Newsweek magazine .

Bold Leadership That Keeps Us Strong

John Cywinski, Chief Executive Officer, Modern Restaurant Concepts

John Cywinski

Chief Executive Officer, Modern Restaurant Concepts

John Cywinski was appointed to the position of CEO of Modern Restaurant Concepts in January 2023. Modern Restaurant Concepts (MRC) is a leading fast casual restaurant company with approximately 800 restaurants, currently comprised of the QDOBA, Modern Market Eatery, and Lemonade brands. MRC is a privately-held restaurant company owned by Los Angeles, California-based Butterfly Equity (www.bfly.com).  

John is an accomplished and recognized leader who is known for building high-performing teams with a passion for innovation, operational excellence, and unparalleled culture. Prior to joining Modern Restaurant Concepts, Mr. Cywinski served as the President of Applebee’s Grill & Bar for six years, where he led a dramatic transformation and resurgence of the $4.4B business. Before his role at Applebee’s, Mr. Cywinski also served as the President of KFC where he led the successful turnaround of the $4.5B U.S. business from 2010 to 2014 while at Yum! Brands. Prior to joining Yum!, Mr. Cywinski spent four years as a franchisee, owning and operating ten successful Dunkin’ Donuts and Sonic restaurants in Chicago, which he has since sold.   

John previously served as Applebee’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer from 2001 through 2006, while spearheading innovative initiatives like Applebee’s Carside To Go, and the iconic “Eatin’ Good In The Neighborhood” ad campaign. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice-President of U.S. Brand Strategy for McDonald’s Corporation, President of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing for the Motion Picture Group of The Walt Disney Studios, and head of U.S. Marketing for Burger King Corporation. John started his career with Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.    

In addition to being a Board Member for Modern Restaurant Concepts, John currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association and is a recipient of IFMA’s Silver Plate Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the restaurant industry.

Path 7 Path 7

Jeremy Vitaro

Chief Development Officer

Jeremy Vitaro has been with Qdoba since March 2024. He has more than 20 years of development and franchising experience with diverse brands in the food industry. Most recently, he was Chief Development Officer for Little Caesars Pizza, leading their global growth from 2021-2024. Prior to that, Jeremy was with Dunkin’ Brands (Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins) for 18 years in roles of increasing responsibility in Operations, Finance, Development and International.  

Jeremy also has extensive experience working overseas and speaks multiple languages, having worked earlier in his career in Europe for both the Benedict Group in the franchise education segment and Casoni SpA in the wine and spirits industry.

Jeremy received a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a Master’s degree from Stanford University, and an MBA from Colombia University.

Path 7 Path 7

Eric Williams

Chief Operating Officer

Eric Williams joined QDOBA in October 2019 as Director of Operations. Bringing over 30 years of experience in the food service industry, including restaurant, franchise and corporate operations, as well as multi-unit franchise ownership. Eric was appointed to the role of Vice President of License and Franchise Operations in June 2020, and most recently appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer.  ​

​

Prior to QDOBA, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (CKE), parent company to Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. He started his career with CKE as a franchise business consultant before taking on multiple corporate and field leadership roles, eventually becoming a Hardee’s franchise owner in the Indianapolis area, where his family still operates seven locations.

Path 7 Path 7

Prashant Budhale

Chief Technology Officer

Prashant Budhale became QDOBA’s Chief Technology Officer in July 2024.  Prior to joining Qdoba he served as Head of Technology for SONIC Drive-In, part of the Inspire Brands portfolio. At SONIC, he was responsible for the vision, development, and implementation of all technology initiatives across the 3,550 unit, $6B brand.

Prior to SONIC, Prashant was Senior Director for Pizza Hut, part of YUM! Brands, where he led retail technology. Earlier in his career, Prashant worked on software development and technology initiatives at IBM, Allstate, Oracle, Capgemini, and Fujitsu America. 

Prashant received a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from Shivaji University in India and an MBA from Butler University in Indianapolis.

Path 7 Path 7

Paul Sinowitz

Chief Supply Chain Officer

Paul Sinowitz joined Qdoba in June of 2019 and currently serves as the Chief Supply Chain Officer. In his role, Paul oversees all aspects of the supply chain for food and beverage, packaging, finance, and indirect categories.

Paul has served in executive supply chain roles for the past 35 years for large national restaurants such as Sonic Restaurants, Yum Brands (KFC), and Advantica Restaurants (Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Coco’s, Carrow’s, and Hardees). Most recently, he spent the past 11 years in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked with MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment.

Paul received his Bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University.

Path 7 Path 7

Mel Tucker

Chief Financial Officer

Mel Tucker joined QDOBA as Chief Financial Officer in April 2022. He has more than 20 years of financial leadership experience with both publicly traded and privately-owned retail companies.  

He has served in a variety of leadership roles with a diverse group of retailers such as Home Depot, PetSmart, Genesco, and most recently Ideal Image.  ​

​Mel received a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and completed Stanford’s Executive Program. He is a Certified Public Accountant.​

Path 7 Path 7

Kim Zamir

VP of Marketing

Kim Zamir joined QDOBA in 2019 and was appointed       Vice President of Marketing in August 2023. In her role, Kim oversees National Marketing, Culinary Innovation, Creative & Production, Catering Sales & Consumer Insights.

She has over 20 years of marketing experience in the restaurant industry, serving in a variety of strategic leadership roles at Jack in the Box, Rubio’s Coastal Grill and Qdoba. Kim has successfully led creative agencies and brands to launch national promotions and products that drive profitable topline sales and transactions.

Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona.

Path 7 Path 7

Jon Burke

VP Digital & National Media

Jon Burke joined Qdoba in August 2023, leading digital marketing and national media. 

Jon has spent over 25 years in the restaurant industry. He has served in a variety of marketing and digital roles with brand including McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Del Taco, Jollibee, Smashburger, and the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Path 7 Path 7

Sanjay Shastri

VP Human Resources

Sanjay Shastri joined QDOBA in August 2022. With more than 12 years of human resources leadership experience within the hospitality and retail industries, he has focused on company culture, total rewards, employee development programs and company reorganizations.  Prior to working in HR, Sanjay led finance and accounting teams for 18 years, which included setup of international accounting shared services and working abroad to lead finance teams in Asia.   ​​

​Sanjay received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and a CPA.

Path 7 Path 7

Spotlight on Fresh

Stay up to date on QDOBA.

Explore News
chilis

Ready for a fresh franchising opportunity?

Fill out the form below to take the next step in owning a QDOBA Franchise.
sauce
Quick Connect