Established
2001
Franchise Units
10
Minimum Investment
$400,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$700,000
Home Based
No
Description
Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill has carved out a distinct lane in the fast-casual Mexican dining segment by staying committed to what many brands have drifted away from: real scratch cooking. Every marinade, salsa and sauce is made in-house daily. Proteins are slow-cooked. Recipes are developed from heritage Mexican culinary traditions rather than processed shortcuts. This creates a dining experience that feels fresh, intentional and handcrafted—a rarity in a competitive market filled with mass-produced menus.
As consumers increasingly demand better ingredients, transparency and authentic global flavors, Ori’Zaba’s positions franchisees at the center of one of America’s fastest-growing culinary trends: fresh, bold, customizable Mexican cuisine delivered through a quick-service model. With a proven operational system, strong brand story and a menu designed for quality and efficiency, Ori’Zaba’s has become an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to build multi-unit portfolios within the food and beverage sector.
The franchise blends scratch cooking with modern efficiency, creating a franchise model that appeals to investors who value operational clarity, brand differentiation, and scalable unit economics.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Ori’Zaba’s is more than a restaurant—it is a brand built around a passionate promise. Diners know every ingredient is handled with care, and franchisees benefit from a reputation that consistently helps drive traffic, loyalty and premium menu pricing.
Investors are drawn to Ori’Zaba’s because the brand offers something unique in the crowded fast-casual landscape: handcrafted Mexican dishes backed by a franchise system that understands scalability. The brand has refined its operating model to support high-volume locations while maintaining product quality.
Franchisees also gain access to turnkey systems, centralized marketing, robust technology, and a culinary program built for efficiency, freshness and craveability.
Ori’Zaba’s continues to expand across the USA, creating opportunities in prime markets where consumers actively seek better-for-you dining options. With a strong brand identity, favorable unit economics and extensive corporate support, it is positioned as an ideal investment for both first-time restaurant owners and multi-unit operators.
Background
Ori’Zaba’s Scratch Mexican Grill was founded in 2001 by Katherine “Kat” Deanovic and a team of hospitality-focused entrepreneurs who shared a commitment to truly scratch-made cuisine in a fast-casual setting. The founders believed that no shortcuts should ever be taken when it comes to fresh food, bold flavors and authentic preparation techniques, which later became the foundation of the brand’s identity.
What began as a single restaurant in Las Vegas quickly built a loyal following. Guests were drawn to the handcrafted marinades, slow-cooked proteins, house-made sauces and the intentional preparation that separated Ori’Zaba’s from typical quick-service Mexican concepts. As the brand’s reputation grew, leadership refined its operational systems, supply chain and menu development to create a franchise-ready model without compromising the scratch-cooking philosophy.
Today, Ori’Zaba’s continues to expand its presence across the United States.
Franchise Active Units: The brand operates 10+ locations, a mix of franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, with more units in development across key growth markets.
Ownership has evolved to include experienced franchise executives who strengthened the brand’s infrastructure, training programs and marketing systems. This expansion ensures franchisees gain access to a proven operational engine supported by a passionate team dedicated to fresh food, strong financial performance and long-term brand integrity.
Ori’Zaba’s competes within the thriving fast-casual Mexican dining category—one of the most resilient and high-performing segments in the U.S. restaurant industry. Its ability to consistently deliver high-quality, customizable meals has helped secure a strong market presence and positioned the brand for accelerated national growth.
Support Training
Ori’Zaba’s delivers a highly structured and supportive onboarding process designed to prepare franchisees for successful openings and long-term profitability. Their support model includes:
Pre-Launch Support
• Site selection and demographic analysis to secure an optimal location
• Assistance with lease negotiation and construction coordination
• Store design, layout planning and guidance through permitting
• Vendor onboarding and pre-opening inventory planning
• Comprehensive project management from start to finish
Operational Training
• Multi-week hands-on training at a certified Ori’Zaba’s training restaurant
• Instruction on scratch cooking processes, food safety, prep systems and recipe standards
• Leadership training for managing staff, scheduling, operations, customer service and cost controls
• Technology training on POS, BOH systems, reporting dashboards and digital ordering platforms
Marketing Support
• National brand marketing strategy and ongoing brand-level campaigns
• Local store marketing plans tailored to launch and sustained local awareness
• Access to digital assets, social media templates, promotional calendars and brand photography
• Guidance on community engagement to build local loyalty
Ongoing Support
• Regular field visits and priority access to operational consultants
• Continuous menu innovation and updates
• Franchisee performance reviews to improve cost management and profitability
• Exclusive webinars, workshops and refresher training
• Dedicated help desk support for operations, technology and marketing
This robust support structure ensures franchisees are never operating alone and can grow confidently with a partner that understands every detail of the industry.
Ideal Candidate
Ori’Zaba’s is best suited for entrepreneurs who value quality, community and hands-on leadership. The brand seeks operators who can uphold its scratch-made food standards while executing a proven business model. The ideal candidate may include:
• First-time business owners seeking a structured, supportive franchise model
• Multi-unit franchise operators looking to diversify into a fast-growing category
• Investors with experience in food service, hospitality or retail
• Individuals who enjoy being present in their business and building strong team culture
• Passionate leaders who value exceptional food and customer experience
• Investors with the ability to secure prime territories in growing suburban or urban markets
Candidates should have sufficient liquidity and net worth to open and operate the franchise, a strong commitment to following systems, and a desire to grow with the brand—either through single-unit ownership or multi-unit development.
Financial Detail
| Item | Amount / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | $400,000 – $700,000 |
| Minimum Investment | ~$350,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fund | 1% – 2% of gross sales |
| Local Marketing (Launch) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Working Capital | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Build-Out / Infrastructure | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Break-Even Time | 12 – 24 months |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering |