A BELOVED fast food chain that’s said to be “better than Chipotle” is set to open 500 more locations.
Qdoba is gearing up for massive growth, with over 500 new locations in development.
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The popular Mexican fast-casual chain, often praised as “better than Chipotle,” is well on its way to hitting its goal of 1,500 restaurants by 2033.
The company announced commitments for at least 33 new units across the U.S., bringing its total development pipeline to over 500.
Qdoba is also expanding into non-traditional spaces, including airports, universities, and military bases, further solidifying its presence in the market.
With 800 restaurants already open, Qdoba continues to focus on its franchising model, which has helped fuel its rapid expansion.
Unlike Chipotle, which owns all its locations, Qdoba relies on franchise operators to open and run new restaurants, sharing the cost of development and accelerating growth.
Earlier this year, Qdoba secured 10 franchising deals covering 77 stores, adding to its momentum.
The brand also introduced a $100,000 cash incentive for franchisees who open new locations by September 2026.
This offer applies to both existing franchisees looking to expand and new franchisees committing to multiple locations.
Qdoba aims for 100 net openings per year in the coming years. To support this, the chain is remodeling company-owned restaurants and experimenting with new store formats.
The recent opening of its first freestanding locations in Arizona highlights this strategy, featuring an open grill, two production lines, and a smaller footprint of 2,000 square feet—compared to the 2,500-square-foot average of older stores.
Fans of Qdoba are celebrating the expansion, with social media users calling it their favorite fast-casual chain.
One user wrote: “Qdoba is thee best!!!!”
Another added: “I agree!! Chipotle is high and bland.”
A third commented: “& they don’t charge extra for the guac!! Qdoba is definitely my go-to over Chipotle!!”.
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