Established
2004
Franchise Units
10
Minimum Investment
$700,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$1,300,000
Home Based
No
Description
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has carved out a refreshing and modern niche in the fast-casual dining landscape—offering bright, bold, authentically inspired Mexican flavors paired with speed, transparency, and an energetic brand personality. Known for its made-from-scratch recipes, crisp ingredients, hand-cut produce, and fun, social atmosphere, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has emerged as a favorite for guests craving food that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
The franchise concept is built around a simple promise: real food cooked fresh daily. Unlike many competitors, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill emphasizes open kitchens, scratch preparation, clean ingredients, and a menu designed for customization. That philosophy has allowed the brand to grow a loyal following and position itself as a modern alternative to traditional Tex-Mex chains.
With strong appeal across millennials, families, health-conscious diners, and busy professionals looking for high-quality meals served quickly, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill enjoys a strong place in the fast-casual Mexican category—one of the most robust and consistently growing sectors in the American restaurant industry. Franchisees benefit from a brand that blends fresh food, vibrant dining environments, efficient operations, and a highly scalable business model ideal for multi-unit growth.
Why Invest in the Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Franchise?
Investing in Lime Fresh Mexican Grill means stepping into a category that continues to outperform much of the hospitality industry. Consumers nationwide are actively seeking restaurants that provide clean ingredients, bold flavors, and transparency in food preparation—all key pillars of Lime Fresh’s operating model.
Key reasons investors choose this franchise:
1. Proven Fast-Casual Demand
Fast-casual Mexican remains one of the highest-performing food categories in the United States, with strong customer frequency and broad demographic appeal.
2. Fresh-First, Scratch-Kitchen Differentiation
Lime Fresh sets itself apart with in-store prep, premium ingredients, and a commitment to freshness—not microwaves or pre-packaged components. This authenticity creates repeat business and strong local loyalty.
3. Streamlined, Scalable Operations
The concept is designed for efficiency, with simplified inventory, strong throughput during peak times, and an operating model that avoids heavy equipment or complex prep systems.
4. Strong Brand Personality
With its vibrant colors, community-driven culture, and upbeat brand voice, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill resonates with modern consumers looking for more than just a quick meal.
5. Multiple Revenue Streams
Dine-in, take-out, delivery, catering, online ordering, and third-party partnerships broaden revenue potential and enhance location profitability.
6. Attractive Growth Territories Available
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is expanding strategically across the USA, offering prime territory availability for multi-unit operators.
Background
Established Year:
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill was founded in 2004 in Miami, Florida.
Founders:
The brand was created by restaurateur John Kunkel, known for building innovative food concepts that blend authenticity, fresh ingredients, and modern fast-casual dining.
Brand Journey & Evolution:
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill began as a neighborhood favorite in South Beach, quickly earning a loyal following for its scratch-made recipes, open-kitchen transparency, and upbeat, community-driven environment. Guests loved the house-made salsas, hand-chopped produce, and bold Mexican flavors served in a fast-casual format—long before “fresh” became a mainstream industry standard.
As word spread, the brand expanded into additional locations across Florida, refining its operating model and developing a scalable restaurant system rooted in culinary integrity and exceptional guest service. Lime Fresh grew steadily, focusing on high-traffic urban and suburban markets while maintaining its commitment to fresh ingredients prepared daily in-store.
Franchise Active Units (Current Number):
The brand currently operates 10+ locations across Florida and select U.S. regions, consisting of both franchise-operated and corporate-owned restaurants. Additional units are currently in development as part of a planned nationwide expansion.
Ownership & Leadership:
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has evolved under experienced hospitality leadership with deep roots in the restaurant industry. The brand continues to operate with a strong focus on franchise development, culinary innovation, and operational excellence, ensuring franchisees benefit from a supportive and growth-oriented organization.
Market Presence in the USA:
The strongest concentration of locations remains in Florida, where the brand has built a strong customer base. Lime Fresh is now actively expanding into key U.S. markets, particularly:
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Southeastern states
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High-density metro areas
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Growing suburban trade areas
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Lifestyle centers and mixed-use developments
Industry Category:
Fast-Casual Dining ▸ Mexican Food ▸ Fresh / Scratch-Made Concepts
Competitive Positioning:
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill distinguishes itself with made-daily ingredients, a vibrant dining experience, and a brand identity built on freshness, transparency, and community engagement. This positioning places it in one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing segments of the restaurant industry.
Support Training
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill offers robust support designed to help franchisees launch successfully and operate confidently. Their team provides comprehensive training, technology support, marketing systems, and operational guidance from day one.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection guidance with demographic and traffic analysis
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Restaurant design, layout, and construction support
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Assistance with permits, inspections, and vendor setup
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Pre-opening marketing plans and local awareness campaigns
Initial Training
Franchisees participate in an extensive training program that covers:
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Daily restaurant operations
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Food safety and scratch-kitchen procedures
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Hiring, scheduling, and staff management
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Guest service protocols and brand standards
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Accounting, inventory systems, POS, and back-office tools
Training takes place at both a certified Lime Fresh training store and the franchisee’s location during the opening phase.
Grand Opening Support
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On-site opening team for launch week
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Staff coaching and operational reinforcement
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Marketing push to drive foot traffic early
Ongoing Support
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Field support visits and operational audits
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National and regional marketing campaigns
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Menu innovation and seasonal product rollouts
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Technology updates and online ordering integrations
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Continuous access to support personnel and training resources
Ideal Candidate
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill seeks franchise partners who are passionate about hospitality, community, and building a high-energy team environment. The most successful franchisees typically share these traits:
Business Background
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Prior restaurant or retail management experience is helpful but not mandatory
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Experience in multi-unit operations is an advantage
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Strong understanding of customer service and team leadership
Personal Traits
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Passion for delivering high-quality food and memorable guest experiences
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Community-driven mindset and willingness to engage locally
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Strong problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Investment Capability
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Ability to meet the required capital investment
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Adequate liquidity and net worth to support multi-unit development opportunities
Preferred Locations
Ideal franchise territories include:
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Metro city centers
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High-traffic suburban retail zones
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Lifestyle centers, college towns, and mixed-use developments
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Areas with strong lunch and dinner demand
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | $700,000 – $1,300,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $500,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 – $50,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing Fund | 1% – 2% of Gross Sales |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Restaurant Size | 2,000 – 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Expected ROI | 18 – 30 months |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Delivery, Take-out, Catering |