QDOBA Targets 2,000 Locations in Aggressive Expansion Push

What drives this growth? — The expansion relies on a shift toward franchise-led development, with a goal of moving 85% of system restaurants under independent ownership. New partners include veteran operators from the McDonald's and Zaxby's systems, who have committed to 30 and 20 locations respectively.

Why it matters. — B Wild Investments, led by Barry Dubin, has significantly deepened its stake in the brand. After acquiring 22 existing restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, the firm committed to a 63-unit development pipeline across Colorado, Utah, Washington, Nevada, and New Mexico. This move cements the firm’s belief in the brand’s unit economics and competitive positioning in the fast-casual segment.

Where the focus lies. — While the brand is targeting high-demand urban markets like Georgia and Tennessee, it is also eyeing non-traditional venues such as airports and universities. According to Chief Development Officer Jeremy Vitaro, the company intends to maintain a pace of 100 new openings annually to reach its long-term scale targets.