2014
7
$421,583
$50,000
$1,458,750
No
Dank Burrito is revolutionizing the fast-casual Mexican dining scene with its bold, chef-driven menu and vibrant, urban atmosphere. Founded in 2014 by Clarke Merrell, the brand began as a food truck in Morehead City, North Carolina, quickly earning accolades such as the National Food Truck Rookie of the Year. By 2015, the success of the food truck led to the opening of the first brick-and-mortar location, and the brand has since expanded across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
Dank Burrito offers a unique dining experience that combines fresh, globally inspired flavors with a bold, urban aesthetic. The menu features a variety of burritos, tacos, and bowls, all made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. The brand's commitment to excellence and creativity has garnered a loyal following, making it a standout in the competitive fast-casual dining market.
With a proven business model, strong brand identity, and a growing customer base, Dank Burrito presents a compelling franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in a dynamic and profitable business.
Proven Success: From a food truck to multiple brick-and-mortar locations, Dank Burrito has demonstrated consistent growth and profitability.
Unique Brand Identity: The brand's bold flavors and urban atmosphere set it apart from traditional fast-casual dining options.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support to ensure operational success.
Growing Market Demand: The fast-casual dining industry continues to expand, with consumers seeking fresh, flavorful, and convenient dining options.
Established Year: 2014 (as a food truck); 2015 (first brick-and-mortar location)
Franchise Units: 7 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida
Founders: Chef Clarke Merrell and Robert McGinnis
Ownership: Privately owned by Chef Clarke Merrell
Parent Company: Dank Burrito Franchise Group LLC
Industry Category: Fast-Casual Mexican Dining
Headquarters: 801 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557
Dank Burrito was founded in 2014 by Chef Clarke Merrell and his friend Robert McGinnis. Clarke, inspired by his culinary background and passion for food, envisioned elevating quick-serve burritos with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. The concept began with a refurbished food truck and quickly gained popularity, earning awards such as National Food Truck Rookie of the Year in 2014 and National Food Truck Graphic Design of the Year.
In 2015, the success of the food truck led to the opening of the first brick-and-mortar location in Morehead City, North Carolina. Since then, the brand has expanded to include locations in Raleigh, Greenville, and Fayetteville, North Carolina; Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Clearwater and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Dank Burrito continues to grow, with plans for further expansion into new markets.
Chef Clarke Merrell, a well-known chef in the food sector, is renowned for his originality and enthusiasm for creating mouthwatering dishes. He has established himself as a seasoned and competent restaurateur as the Executive Chef and Owner of numerous popular restaurants in North Carolina, including Circa 81 Tapas & Cocktaileria, Social Q Smokehouse, Prime Bistro & Wine Bar, Beaufort Olive Oil Company, and Merrell Estate & Gardens. Clarke's ingenuity and attention to detail are on display at each of these eateries, reflecting his dedication to providing an outstanding dining experience.
Dank Burrito combines bold, global flavors with chef-driven techniques to create new kinds of burritos, tacos, and bowls that stand out in the fast-casual dining industry. The brand's commitment to freshness, flavor, and a fiercely authentic brand identity has garnered a loyal following and positioned it for continued success and growth.
Dank Burrito is dedicated to equipping every franchise partner—or **"Dankster"—**with the knowledge and tools for success through a comprehensive, multi-phase support model:
Site Selection & Lease Negotiation: Guidance on identifying high-traffic locations, optimal demographics, and assisting with commercial lease review.
Design & Buildout: Detailed architectural and design plans that capture the iconic, edgy "graffiti-dank" urban atmosphere, along with vendor recommendations and project management assistance.
Classroom Training: Approximately 33 hours of instruction covering essential topics like financial management, point-of-sale (POS) technology, local marketing strategies, and HR/staffing (the "Burrito Mafia" management philosophy).
On-The-Job Training: Extensive hands-on training, ranging from 70 to 190 hours, immersing the franchisee and key management staff in all aspects of the kitchen, front-of-house operations, and the execution of the "scratch-made, fresh-to-death" cooking philosophy.
Operations Manuals: Access to detailed, proprietary manuals covering every standard operating procedure (SOP), quality control, and recipe execution.
Field Operations: Regular visits from experienced Franchise Business Consultants to ensure adherence to brand standards, optimize efficiency, and assist with local challenges.
Franchisee Intranet Platform: A central hub for communication, ordering, updates, and best practice sharing across the "Dank Nation."
Grand Opening Support: Coordinated efforts to ensure a high-impact launch.
Digital Marketing: Support for Social Media engagement, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) guidance, Website Development, and Ad Templates to help dominate local market visibility.
Brand Collateral: Provision of high-energy, vibrant marketing materials and designs that align with the brand’s distinctive aesthetic.
The ideal Dank Burrito franchisee is a passionate, driven entrepreneur who understands and embraces the brand's unique culture and commitment to high-quality food.
Entrepreneurial Spirit & Passion: Must possess a genuine enthusiasm for bold, innovative cuisine and the high-energy, irreverent Dank Burrito brand.
Business & Management Background: Prior experience in a restaurant or managerial/leadership setting is highly recommended, demonstrating the ability to manage staff (the "Burrito Mafia"), control inventory, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Investment Capability: Must meet the minimum liquid capital and net worth requirements to ensure financial stability throughout the launch and initial operating period.
Hands-On Operator: This is not an absentee ownership model. We seek owner-operators or hands-on partners dedicated to the day-to-day success and quality control of their unit.
Location Preference: A willingness to launch within our target expansion markets (currently primarily the Southeast USA) and a focus on high-traffic retail locations, shopping centers, or mixed-use developments with strong visibility.
The following figures are estimates and should be reviewed in detail in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), Item 7, for the most current and specific cost breakdowns.
