A growing burrito business is making Georgia its first expansion market.
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Barbacoa Mexican Grill will open their first Georgia location in Kennesaw at the Shoppes at Ridenour in a former Johnny's Pizza. The roughly 2,300 square foot space sits just off Barrett Parkway in a center already home to Dunkin' Donuts, Dickey's BBQ, Keegan's Public House and a host of other retailers and services. The Barabcoa will be owned and operated by a local franchisee and should open mid-to-late October.
Sources say a second Barbacoa is in the works for intown Atlanta, and if all goes well, it could open this coming spring.
Barbacoa currently has ten locations in their home state of Utah.
Out of state burrito chains have had mixed success in metro Atlanta. National players Baja Fresh and Qdoba have struggled in Atlanta where each have closed locations. Regional chain Mojo Burrito, based in Chattanooga, opened a location in Dunwoody earlier this year, but according to locals, it's unlikely they will survive.
Panchero's Mexican Grill opened in downtown Atlanta in 2009, but closed less than a year later.
Chipotle Mexican Grill continues to expand in Atlanta adding locations in both Perimeter Mall and Lenox Square. Moe's Southwest Grill, which started in Buckhead, also continues to expand and is now a national player in the burrito business.
Willy's Mexicana Grill, a local favorite of mine, recently opened locations near Emory and in Sandy Springs and is opening soon in Peachtree City. Barberitos, another local burrito business, is also expanding but has struggled in their penetration the metro Atlanta area.
Where is your favorite place to grab a burrito? What out of state burrito chain would you like to see open in metro Atlanta? What intown neighborhood could use a Barbacoa?
Please share your thoughts below.