Next up on the Franchising Tour, Wisconsin! (7/3/09)
If you are interested in Franchising wil Baja Sol, we will be in 4 major Wisonsin cities July 13th through the 14th. Please RSVP to Emily Ockwig at 651-554-1111 or at Emily@Baja-Sol.com.
Eau Claire, WIJuly 13, 11 am to 1 pm
Hampton Inn Eau Claire
2622 Craig Road, Eau Claire, WI
Wisconsin Dells, WI
July 13, 5 pm to 7 pm
Holiday Inn Express
1033 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Madison, WI
July 14, 11 am to 1 pm
GrandStay Residential Suites
5317 High Crossing Blvd. Madison, WI
La Crosse, WI
July 14, 5 pm to 7 pm
GrandStay Residential Suites
525 Front Street North, La Crosse, WI
Second Cantina In Columbus Coming In July! (6/19/09)
Gone away with the old style that is Don Pablos, yet again! Don Pablos located at 3740 W. Dublin Granville Rd. in Columbus, OH has closed it's doors Sunday night for the last time. With current construction going on, Baja Sol Cantina is scheduled to open by the middle of July.
Baja Sol Franchise Tour Kicks off in Rochester, MN (6/15/09)
Announcing
the kick off of our 2009 Franchise Tour in Rochester, MN. This tour is
to introduce the Baja Sol restaurant concepts to potential Franchisees
and business owners in the area.
When: Friday, June 19th from 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Hilton Garden Inn at 225 South Broadway, Rochester, MN 55904
Cost: Free - Registration Required
RSVP: emily@bajasol.com (651) 554-1111
What:
• Be introduced to the Baja Sol Restaurant’s Experience.
• Learn about opportunities to own a Baja Sol Franchise.
• Find out about the different concepts of Baja Sol – Baja Sol Cantina, Baja Sol Tortilla Grill, & Baja Joe’s.
• Enjoy a meal!
Other cities on the tour include:
- Mankato, MN
- Eau Claire, WI
- Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Madison, WI
- La Crosse, MN
- Des Moines, IA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Davenport, IA
- Dubuque, IA
- Oak Lawn, IL
- Soux Falls, SD
- Soux City, SD
- Omaha, NE
- Lincoln, NE
For more information including dates, times, & locations please contact Emily Ockwig at 651-551-1111.
Baja Sol Issues Public Challenge to Uncover Next Great Salsa Recipe
“Strut your Salsatude” and earn place on their award winning Salsa & Chip Bar
Do you like it safe & mild? Do you like it hot & spicy? Do you like it a bit unusual?
We’re talking Salsa of course! We want you to give us your best shot!
Baja Sol Restaurants announces the kickoff of their "Strut your Salsatude" contest. The contest runs from March 1st to March 28th to challenge customers and home cooks to submit their best salsa recipes to compete for a chance to win $500.00 (for each category) and to have their salsa featured in all 19 of the Midwestern Baja Sol restaurants. The prize salsas will be featured on the salsa bar for the month of May.
DIRECTIONS:
Recipes can be entered on our "Enter Salsa" page ENTER SALSA, or mailed to the corporate headquarters to the address found at www.baja-sol.com.
Baja Sol Opens Two Minneapolis –St. Paul Area Franchise Locations (1/12/09)
Inver Grove Heights, MN – Baja Sol Restaurant Group celebrated the opening of two new locations in the greater Minneapolis and Saint Paul area: a Tortilla Grill format in Oakdale, and a Cantina format in Eden Prairie. This is Baja Sol’s second Cantina (or full service restaurant) concept in Minnesota following the success of their first restaurant in Inver Grove Heights, MN. The differentiating factor that makes them stand out from other Mexican themed restaurants is their dedication to fresh ingredients and contemporary recipes.
The Eden Prairie location is the second of ten Cantinas that are scheduled open in 2009. The Oakdale location is the first of 20 Baja Sol Tortilla Grills (counter service concept) that are also scheduled to open nationally in 2009 for the aggressively growing chain. “Even though other concepts have been struggling in this economy, Baja Sol is built with a solid foundation focusing on providing family friendly, fast and delicious food. These factors have allowed for this growth in an unsure economy,” said Baja Sol president Bridget Sutton.
Sutton cited the increasing availability of good real estate and more reasonable leasing and construction costs as two reasons for the expansion; however, she also cited the continuing growth of Latin food and culture as well. According to Sutton, “No other single cuisine is growing as fast or has stronger long term growth potential as Mexican and Latin cuisine.” She continued, “In 1990, Mexican food accounted for just $3.75 billion in US restaurant sales. In 2008, Mexican food sales will approach $16 billion, with no end in sight.”
The new Baja Sol Cantina is a departure from typical themed Mexican restaurants. While the menu contains popular Mexican dishes – including its top-selling enchiladas – it also features Pan Latin and Island fare, including Peach Mango Tilapia and Tequila Honey Lime Shrimp. The menu also features Baja Sol’s award-winning all-you-can-eat salsa bar featuring nine different salsas made fresh in its kitchens every day.
Both of the new locations are the first for new Franchisees of the company. Mike Wigley, the Franchisee/owner of the Eden Prairie Location is already in the process of opening his second Cantina format, to be opened in Minnetonka, MN. scheduled for Spring of 2009.
About Baja Sol Restaurant Group Inc:
Since 1995, Baja Sol Restaurants capitalizes on today’s consumers’ maturing tastes within the Mexican/Latin food and drink segment. They have over 15 locations with full service restaurant, counter service and grill concepts located throughout the Midwestern United States. For more information or franchise information, please visit: www.baja-sol.com.
For Press or Media
Inquiries please contact:
Christopher Lower
Sterling Cross
Communications
Chris (at)
sterlingcrossgroup.com
BAJA SOL HOPES THE SPICE IS RIGHT - Eden Prairie News(12/23/08)
You won’t find either sombreros or Mexican music
at newly opened Baja Sol Cantina, said general manager Tom Boeckman.
What you will find is a full-service restaurant
with a Mexican/Latin-themed menu, top 100 music, plus an expansive
all-you-can-eat chips and salsa bar.
Baja Sol Cantina opened Dec. 11 at
Headquartered in
Despite difficult economic times for many
restaurants, Baja Sol management decided the time was right for expansion, said
company president and CEO Bridget Sutton.
Real estate and leasing rates have become more
affordable with the downturn in the economy, Sutton said in a recent press
release. The market for Mexican and Latin food is growing, Sutton added, and
projected to reach $16 billion by the end of the year.
“We make everything from scratch, including the
margaritas,” said Boeckman. “Chips and salsa are made fresh daily.”
Baja Sol Cantina features an extensive menu of
Mexican/Latin fare, including tacos, burritos, sandwiches, soups and salads,
starters, enchiladas, fajitas, specials and desserts. There’s also a kids menu.
The hot chips and salsa bar, free with the purchase of an entree, features nine
types of salsa. Entree prices range from $7.49 to $14.99.
“Our price point is good, with a lot of entrees
under $10,” said Boeckman. “I think there’s a market for that.”
The restaurant will be open 11 a.m. to midnight
Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. It can hold
about 200 patrons in two large rooms, a dining room and a bar area. An outdoor
dining patio area will open in April.
At present Baja Sol Cantina has about 75
employees.
Specials include Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. daily, and special promotions
during Wild games. Kids eat free every Tuesday at the restaurant.
The key to economic sustainability during
difficult times for restaurants is to succeed on both the food and the service
angles. The store’s employees can make the difference between success and
failure on both counts, Boeckman said.
“No. 1 is the food,” Boeckman said. “We really believe in the product – it’s fresh, and you can tell the difference. No. 2 is the service, that’s something you have to do very well – there are a lot of restaurants in this market.”
Published on Eden Prairie News (https://www.edenprairienews.com)
ONES TO WATCH - QSR MAGAZINE - (10/30/08)
GLUTEN FREE MENU NOW AVAILABLE - (9/23/08)
BAJA SOL RESTAURANTS EXPAND TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - (7/9/08)
Award winning concept plans 30 units for San Diego and Orange Counties
(Inver Grove Heights, MN) – Baja Sol Restaurants is bringing its award winning food and Free Chips and
Salsa Bar to San Diego County, California.
The Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota-based Baja Sol, which recently opened its 15th unit in Columbus,
Ohio, today announced plans to open 12 new franchised restaurants in San Diego County and another 18
units in Orange County.
The first restaurant will open in Chula Vista early in 2009, led by a San Diego development group with
other business interests in the area.
“We are very excited to bring Baja Sol’s award winning fresh Mex food to San Diego,” Baja Sol
owner and president Bridget Sutton said. “We think our contemporary vibe, high-quality fresh
ingredients, and excellent value will be a great addition to the dining scene in Chula Vista and the
San Diego area. Southern Californians have a strong appreciation for quality, freshness and
innovation. Baja Sol will fit right in.”
Baja Sol Restaurants Group operates and franchises fast casual and full service fresh Mexican
restaurants under the Baja Sol brand name. The concept features high energy contemporary
environments and broader menu offerings than most of the competition, including signature items like the
Smothered Burrito. A key cornerstone of the concept is its famous Free Chips and Salsa bar with eight
house recipe salsas made fresh in the restaurants every day.
“The unlimited hot chips and salsa bar is one of the key brand differences between Baja Sol and
our competitors,” said Sutton. “This makes Baja Sol a much better value for consumers in the San
Diego area when compared with other brands. Guests will really taste the difference.”
Baja Sol Restaurants Group is a Minnesota based-company that was acquired in October, 2006 by its
largest franchisee group committed to taking the concept nationwide. The company has since expanded
from 10 units to 15 units, with 5 more scheduled to open by the end of 2008.
"Smaller Average Checks Spur Growth" - (7/7/08)
Crittenden’s Restaurant Insider
…Baja-Sol Restaurant Group capitalizes on slightly lower price points than other Mexican fast-casuals to help fuel expansion. Baja-Sol is in development for 13 Baja-Sol Tortilla Grills and three casual-dining Baja-Sol Cantinas. The company plans to open 25 units by year's end.
It is apparent that consumers are more frugal than last year and the difference of only a couple of bucks could dictate restaurant selections. Taco Del Mar, Panchero's, Juan's and Baja-Sol are careful to keep price points in the $7 to $8 range, about $2 below segment average. Fast-casual Mexican concepts have always benefited from being perceived as a healthy option with a lot of fresh vegetables. In recent years, black beans, brown rice, white meat chicken and whole-wheat tortillas have increased the healthy profile, but the average check has also increased. Some fast casuals are past the $10 average check mark. A concept can't go too low or it risks entering the Del Taco and Taco Bell domain, and no one wants that. Look for these concepts to set this $7 to $8 pace for the next year or so, and rope in customers who will become loyal to a healthy but affordable Mexican option.
Keep an eye on 14-unit Baja-Sol to more than double in size this year in the Midwest - especially in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and the Twin Cities, as well as San Diego and New York. The concept brings flavor combinations from Central and South America and features a salsa bar with eight varieties. An average check is around $7.50. President Bridget Sutton looks for units around 2,000 s.f. to 2,500 s.f. The company prefers end caps but inline units also work. Lifestyle centers are ideal and other restaurants, entertainment, shopping and movie theatres are great neighbors. The franchise is $30K with 5% royalties. The concept's decór is very contemporary with original artwork; so don't expect to find any sombreros, adobe or tiles here.
Baja-Sol Cantina is a full-service casual-dining version of the Baja-Sol concept with an expanded menu. The company's pipeline contains three more Cantina's for this year. The ideal size of a Cantina is 5,000 s.f. to 6,000 s.f. with 150 seats, and an average check is about $12.50. Watch for the company to use the Cantina as the prototype for expansion.
BAJA SOL FRESH MEX GRILL WOWS COLUMBUS - (6/9/08)
(Columbus, Ohio) - Baja Sol Fresh Mex Grill opened to enthusiastic Columbus diners this week with its first location on Hamilton Road.
“We are extremely pleased with how strong our business has been right from day one,” said Brian Cooper, one of the franchise partners involved in the Columbus area. “People have been calling us for the last couple of weeks, asking when we’re opening because they’re excited to have Baja Sol in Columbus. Now it’s official – we’re open!”
Hungry guests lined up on Monday, before the restaurant was even open for business, hoping to get a taste of Baja Sol’s innovative fresh Mex menu. Those guests were treated to complimentary meals as they put Baja Sol’s staff through their paces during the final phase of their training program before the restaurant opened for business on Tuesday.
“I just love the free salsa bar,” said one guest. “The Peach Mango Salsa is to die for, and the fresh juice Margaritas are better than at a lot of bars I go to.”
Baja Sol’s award winning Endless Chips and Salsa Bar is very popular with guests, as is a menu full of variety and flavor choices. Baja Sol Fresh Mex Grill offers big burritos and tacos, to be sure, but it also carries the signature Smothered Burrito, Enchiladas, Tostada Salads, Fajitas their award winning Baja Margarita (frozen) and bottled beer. Guests can enjoy their favorite Baja Sol meal in the colorful dining area, on the outdoor garden patio, or they can take it with them to go.
Baja Sol prides itself on catering to the needs of its guests, and that means offering convenience. Online ordering, catering and delivery are all amenities that Baja Sol customers love, and it took precisely 7 hours for Columbus guests to start using those amenities. Baja Sol is already pumping out catering orders for local businesses, and families are using the online ordering service to answer the question, “What’s for dinner?”.
SCCIP Inc. acquired three Don Pablo’s Mexican Kitchen locations in Columbus last December. They are currently in the process of converting the existing restaurants to Baja Sol Cantinas, a full service concept that stresses fresh ingredients, innovative recipes and contemporary environments.
Baja Sol beats competitors on value to consumers
Minnesota-based fresh Mexican chain Baja Sol Tortilla Grill has launched a new "No Bueno, No Brainer" advertising campaign promoting its strong value in the Mexican food segment. Using a series of in-store ads and mailers, the campaign goes head to head against Baja Sol's biggest competition, highlighting Baja Sol's better value for consumers.
"People are spending $75 to $100 just to fill their gas tanks every week so they can get to work," said Bridget Sutton, President of Baja Sol Restaurants Group. "We want people to know that Baja Sol offers great value and unparalleled quality in fresh Mexican food."
A key feature to Baja Sol's value is their award-winning Free Chips and Salsa bar, included with every entrée purchase at no extra charge. Guests can choose from eight salsas and hot tortilla chips made fresh in the restaurants every day. The Free Chips and Salsa Bar is a cornerstone of Baja Sol's concept, one that sets Baja Sol apart from the competition.
"Baja Sol's Free Chips and Salsa Bar is a big reason why our customers are so loyal," continued Sutton. "No other concept out there does what we do. We develop our own recipes, we make them from scratch, we provide better quality and variety than our competitors, and we include it all free for our guests."
A price analysis of fast casual Mexican chains in the Twin Cities reveals that Baja Sol's prices are indeed lower than the leading competition. For example, a chicken burrito, large soda, and a single order of chips and salsa sets you back $8.94 at Chipotle.[1] At Baja Sol, a Grande chicken burrito, large soda, and the unlimited chips and salsa bar are just $7.58.[2]
Baja Sol cites high food quality and exceptional value as the reasons why Baja Sol is experiencing a very strong year while some other concepts are struggling in the soft economy.
There are currently 10 Baja Sol Tortilla Grills and one Baja Sol Cantina (a full service concept) in Minnesota. More franchised Baja Sol Tortilla Grills and Baja Sol Cantinas will be opening this year in Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio.
"In this economy, everyone needs to get more for their money," said Sutton. "We offer guests better value than the competition, and we offer franchisees better value as well. Our "No Bueno, No Brainer" ad campaign shows that Baja Sol really is the best fresh Mex under the sun."
BACKGROUND:
1. Price based on base Chicken Burrito at $5.85, Large Soda at $1.69, and a regular order of 2 oz. chips and 2 oz. of salsa at $1.40 purchased at the West Saint Paul, Minnesota location on April 30, 2008.
2. Price based on base Grande Chicken Burrito at $5.99, Large Soda at $1.59, and free unlimited chips and salsa, based on pricing at Baja Sol Tortilla Grill corporate units.