Salsarita’s, the 80-unit Fresh Mexican Cantina chain, is debuting a new line of Mexican-inspired pizzas. Available in restaurants across the country, Cantizzas come in four varieties: BBQ Pork, pizzas with a Southern-meets-South-of-the-Border flavor; Chicken Fajita, with chicken, veggies, salsa, and an extra kick of flavor; Steak Nacho, a reinvented cantina classic topped with Salsarit'as signature tortilla chips; and Beef Taco, a thin, crispy tortilla crust topped with a tangy twist on the traditional taco.
Make-your-own Mexican pizzas have always been a popular menu offering at Salsarita’s restaurants. When Salsarita’s was acquired in 2010, the chain’s new management team launched a year-long rebranding effort, which culminated in May.
A key initiative in the rebranding effort was hiring chef and Menu Development Manager Tom Lafauci, who spent months in the corporate test kitchens developing new and fresh menu items with distinctive flavor profiles.
“Tom paired his culinary expertise with some of our customers’ most requested make-your-own pizza recipes to create four outstanding pizzas with unique tastes,” says Salsarita’s CEO Phil Friedman. “The Cantizzas are a great permanent addition to our menu.”
To promote the new Cantizzas, for four weeks this summer, customers will have the opportunity to play a fun, interactive Mexican-inspired dice game to win free Cantizzas on their next visit.
After a guest tries their first Cantizza, he or she will have the opportunity to roll the dice. If guests roll a pair of maracas, they receive a card for a free Cantizza on their next visit.
In addition to Mexican pizzas, Salsarita’s also offers signature Mexican favorites such as burritos, quesadillas, tacos, Mexican salads, and nachos made fresh to order with an extensive assortment of proteins, toppings, and fillings, including complimentary guacamole.
Founded in 2000 in Charlotte, N.C., Salsarita’s operates more than 80 franchised locations in 19 states and Puerto Rico. Two restaurants are company-owned. Five to 10 locations will be added in 2012, with long-range projections calling for about 400 locations nationwide within five to six years.
