
Baja Fresh
Food & Beverage · Fast-Casual Restaurants
- Active units
- 67
- Royalty
- 5.0%
Franchised, year-end 2024
of weekly Net Sales
About Baja Fresh
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain based in the United States that specializes in Mexican cuisine. The company was founded in 1990 by Jim Magglos and Linda Magglos, and its headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Baja Fresh offers a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes made with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Their menu includes items such as burritos, tacos, salads, and quesadillas, all customizable to meet individual preferences. The restaurant also provides a range of salsas and sauces to ensure a unique and personalized dining experience. On a global scale, Baja Fresh operates primarily in the United States with over 160 locations spread across 26 states. The company continues to expand and has also ventured into international markets. Notably, Baja Fresh has partnered with Grupo Gigante, a Mexican retail corporation, to open restaurants in Mexico. In terms of market position, Baja Fresh holds a strong position in the Mexican fast-casual market. It competes with other major chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba Mexican Eats. While Baja Fresh may not have the same level of global sales as its competitors, it continues to grow and attract a loyal customer base with its fresh and flavorful offerings. Throughout its history, Baja Fresh has seen several changes in its strategy and product lineup. In 2002, the chain was acquired by Wendy's International, which aimed to expand Baja Fresh's presence. However, Wendy's sold Baja Fresh in 2006 to a private equity firm, who then sold it to a franchise group in 2010. These changes have influenced the brand's growth and allowed for innovations in menu items and customer experience. As of the latest updates, Baja Fresh remains a popular choice for Mexican cuisine enthusiasts in the United States. The company continues to focus on its core values of freshness and flavor, constantly seeking new ways to satisfy its customers' tastes while expanding its reach domestically and internationally.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$30k
- Second and subsequent traditional restaurant
Initial Franchise Fee reduced to $15,000
- Second and subsequent non-traditional restaurant
Initial Franchise Fee reduced to $10,000
- Promotional reductions
We may periodically reduce the Initial Franchise Fee in connection with limited time promotions, new concepts and/or operational programs.
- Brand fund
3.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
1,700 – 3,000 sq ft
- Veteran discount
20.0% off franchise fee — 20% discount on the Initial Franchise Fee for Eligible Military and 501(c)(3)
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing).
Growth
- Total locations67
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings1
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate0.0%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR0.0%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio0.3×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$731k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.