Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill opens its third location in Colorado on Monday, April 14, 2014. Grand Junction will welcome the first Costa Vida restaurant to the area, opening its doors at 2430 Patterson Road.

In celebration of the opening, Costa Vida is inviting the local community to attend the grand opening event starting at 11 a.m. on April 14. The first 30 guests to arrive at the new location on opening day will receive a free Costa Vida entrée every month for one year. The next 30 guests in line at the opening will receive a free entrée.

The new Grand Junction restaurant will mark the second Costa Vida franchise for Judson Smedley, who also owns a location in Vernal, Utah, and plans to open a second Mesa County location in the coming years.

“I’m excited to introduce Costa Vida to Grand Junction,” Smedley says. “Our restaurant’s fun, light-hearted atmosphere and fresh, made-from-scratch food lends itself to the lifestyle enjoyed in Grand Junction. We believe Grand Junction will embrace our new addition to the community with a dining experience that lets you eat healthier while catering to a busy schedule.”

Denise Lee Yohn: QSR's Marketing Guru, Fast Casual, News, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill