Maui Tacos, Hawaii’s iconic fast casual Mexican restaurant created by world-famous Pacific Rim Chef Mark Ellman in 1993 for surfers and celebrities announced plans to expand nationwide, with six new store openings scheduled for 2018 and 12 new stores slated for 2019. This is in addition to the existing eight locations on Maui and Oahu. The six new stores this year will open in Kahului, Hawaii; Monroe, Louisiana; Pearl City, Hawaii; Charleston, South Carolina; Reno, Nevada; and Las Vegas, Nevada. The ten new stores in 2019 will include a Hilo, Hawaii location as well.

“Mexican fast casual is and has been one of the fastest-growing food segments nationwide and offers great opportunities for franchisees who want to enter into this arena with an established brand known worldwide having served guests in Hawaii for 25 years,” says Maui Tacos CEO Jeff Endervelt. “We believe our chef-driven menu that focuses on the food distinguishes us against our competitors. This is a time-proven concept and after 25 years in business, the rest of the U.S will get to say Aloha to Fresh.”

Maui Tacos combines a hip, fast, casual yet fresh dining experience with delicious food, exceptional service, and the spirit of Aloha. Indulge in the never-ending free salsa bar filled with exotic and tried-and-true salsas side-by-side. Endervelt notes, “Many people say our salsas do a hula on your tongue!”

Upon visiting a Maui Tacos, guests will find a fresh fusion of the bold tastes of Mexico paired with the exotic tastes of Hawaii. Quench your thirst with one of the homemade Aqua Frescas in a variety of flavors, and most restaurants offer beer, wine, margaritas and other Island cocktails. The chef-driven, Maui-Mex menu and fun Island-Style culture are distinguishing features and a real marketable advantage over other restaurants from fast food to mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants.

“Our fast-casual restaurants have risen to celebrity status since the opening of our first restaurant on Maui in 1993,” Endervelt says. “Now celebrating our 25th Anniversary and being rated one of the Top Mexican Restaurants in the Country by ZAGAT, the legend continues.”

Maui Tacos has a competitive royalty structure franchisees will find very attractive, a competitive franchise fee with substantial discounts for area developers who commit to opening multiple units, and Veterans receive a 50 percent discount on their franchise fee in recognition and gratitude of their service to the country.

“We treat our franchisees like our ohana, our family,” Endervelt says. “We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support when franchisees open and operate a Maui Tacos. Thekokua (help) doesn’t stop there. Maui Tacos corporate provides ongoing marketing and operational support and constant menu development. It’s all a recipe that’s been 25 years in the making, resulting in internationally acclaimed and award-winning cuisine, a proven business model, and a fun lifestyle for the franchisees and stakeholders involved.”

CEO and Board Chairman Endervelt has led the company since 2004. Endervelt has a long history of developing successful products and services for the past 40+ years. Endervelt previously serviced as CEO, President and Board Chairman of Blimpie International Inc. from 2002 through 2005.

In addition to developing additional restaurants in Hawaii, Maui Tacos is spreading the Aloha and sharing its signature Maui-Mex cuisine from coast to coast on the U.S. mainland. In Hawaii, Maui Tacos is looking to add restaurants on Oahu and Big Island. Target markets on the mainland include Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolinas, Tennessee, and more.