Burrito shop QDOBA opening 2 standalone restaurants in the Valley

QDOBA, the fast-casual, customizable Mexican restaurant, is growing in Arizona.

The burrito chain announced that it will open two new standalone restaurants in the Valley, with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale slated to make their debut on Jan. 13.

The restaurants – in Ahwatukee on Ray Road near 50th Street, and near Old Town Scottsdale at Scottsdale Road and Highland Avenue – will host formal grand openings on Jan. 24.

These are the first of up to 10 new QDOBA restaurants that are planned to open in the Valley over the next two years, according to a press release from the company. The restaurants will join about 800 throughout North America.

“QDOBA is an exceptionally well-positioned brand in one of the most attractive restaurant categories with the greater Phoenix area offering significant growth potential,” Jeremy Vitaro, QDOBA’s chief development officer, said in the press release.

The Denver-born eatery is known for build-your-own burritos, tacos and bowls with proteins, rice, beans and premium toppings that are included in the price, such as queso and guacamole.

QDOBA’s two new locations will join six already operating in Arizona, albeit largely on college campuses. QDOBA’s four current Valley locations are open to the public but on Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University campuses, along with one in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona University. QDOBA also has a Tucson location, which is located on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

When the two spots open this month, they will be QDOBA’s only standalone restaurants in the state. But they’re not the first time Valley customers have been introduced to the brand. In years past there have been freestanding QDOBAs operating in locations including Ahwatukee, central and north Phoenix and Tempe.

QDOBA joins other out-of-state fast-casual chains entering, expanding or returning to the Phoenix market, including salad spot Sweetgreen, taqueria Velvet Taco and Italian cult favorite Fazoli’s.

QDOBA

4901 E. Ray Road, #100
4821 N. Scottsdale Road, #100, Scottsdale