Panchero’s Mexican Grill was started by a graduate of the University of Chicago’s business school named Rodney Anderson.  He started the first Panchero’s Mexican Grill in 1992 with capital he made from the stock market.  The first store was opened in Iowa City very close to the Iowa University campus.  He opened 10 more locations that were all in college towns and near campuses across the Midwest.  In 1998 they revamped the company and added an additional dough press in each location along with updated decor.  They opened the first Panchero’s Mexican Grill that was not corporate owned in 2003 in Minneapolis.  There are currently 55 units throughout the country and they were voted as the best place to eat once the bars close in Iowa City by Sports Illustrated in 2006.

Panchero’s Mexican Grill serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, salads, and more.  They have made daily queso dips, guacamole, and salsas.  They are considered to be a fast casual type of restaurant with both quick service and high quality foods.  Customers will select an entree, watch as their tortilla is pressed and made fresh, then they get to choose from the other ingredients on the list to add it to their meal.  Panchero’s Mexican Grill also offers kids meals and they offer group orders as well.

There are many restaurant franchise opportunities within the Panchero’s Mexican Grill company and they support their franchisees through site selection, facility design, marketing and promotion, and provide ongoing support throughout the process of achieving success.  They also offer training for all franchisees and there are some requirements that must be met to be considered for a Panchero’s Mexican Grill franchise location.  All franchisees or groups must have a minimum net worth of $750,000 and $250,000 must be liquid.  They must also have a plan to develop and market the restaurant in place and it is preferred that the operating manager has previous restaurant experience.