Cafe Rio, or Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, is an American

fast casual restaurant A fast casual restaurant, found primarily in the United States and Canada, does not offer full table service, but advertises higher quality food than fast food restaurants, with fewer frozen or processed ingredients. It is an intermediate conce ...

chain based in

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, with branches in

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, and

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. The company specializes in Mexican cuisine. Its menu includes appetizers, tostadas, salads, burritos, desserts, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, soups, and beverages. The company also provides catering services. In October 2017, the chain had 120 locations. In April 2022, it has grown to 146 locations.

History

Cafe Rio was started in 1997 by Steve and Tricia Stanley in St. George, Utah. In December 2004, Bob and Kathleen Nilsen, Spencer K Hill, along with SKM/

Apax Partners Apax Partners LLP is a British private equity firm, headquartered in London, England. The company also operates out of six other offices in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, Munich and Shanghai. As of December 2017, the firm, including its ...

purchased the chain, which at the time had six restaurants. In 2011, Dave Gagnon took over as CEO and COO at the same time as Bob Baker was appointed President and CFO. In 2018, Steve Vaughan became CEO when Dave Gagnon retired. Previously, Mr. Vaughan was CFO. As of December 2020, Cafe Rio is operating in 135 locations across 11 states. Cafe Rio's recipes are inspired from the traditional cooking of the Rio Grande region of Northern Mexico, Southern Texas and New Mexico. Meals are cooked in each restaurant's kitchen, fresh every day. The signature dish is a sweet pork barbacoa burrito made enchilada-style. There are plans on opening 12 new locations in 2021 and converting current some existing locations to include drive-thru's.

Allegations against Costa Vida

In 2005, Cafe Rio allegedly accused fellow Utah-based, fast casual Mexican restaurant Costa Vida (formerly known as Costa Azul) of recipe theft and copying trade secrets. The two restaurants settled privately in 2007.

Locations

The company has locations in: * Arizona * California * Colorado * Idaho * Maryland * Montana * Nevada * Utah * Virginia * Washington * Wyoming

Notes

References

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External links

* Buildings and structures in Washington County, Utah Companies based in Utah Restaurants in Utah Economy of the Western United States Regional restaurant chains in the United States Fast-food chains of the United States Restaurants established in 1997 Mexican restaurants in the United States Apax Partners companies 1997 establishments in Utah {{US-restaurant-stub