Limited-service Mexican chains within the Top 500 increased sales by 8.5% to $18.5 billion, and full-service Mexican concepts grew sales by 1.8% to $2.3 billion. Overall, fast-casual chains large and small are leading the growth (like Moe’s 11.7% increase and Costa Vida’s 19.5% jump), but there are plenty of stars among casual-dining and quick-service Mexican specialists as well.
2016 Rank | Chain Name | 2015 U.S. Sales ($000) | 2015 U.S. Units |
| 4 | Taco Bell | 9,100,000* | 6,121 |
| 13 | Chipotle Mexican Grill | 4,419,590 | 1,987 |
| 56 | Qdoba Mexican Eats | 744,943* | 670 |
| 62 | Del Taco | 700,166 | 543 |
| 68 | Moe's Southwest Grill | 638,120 | 637 |
| 103 | On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina | 361,100 | 143 |
| 105 | Taco John's | 358,860 | 386 |
| 112 | Taco Cabana | 331,431* | 166 |
| 126 | Chuy's | 287,062 | 70 |
| 160 | Rubio's | 221,973 | 192 |
| 170 | Baja Fresh Mexican Grill | 206,700* | 166 |
| 177 | Cafe Rio Mexican Grill | 196,200* | 89 |
| 182 | Taco Bueno | 185,000* | 175 |
| 194 | FREEBIRDS World Burrito | 168,700* | 95 |
| 205 | Pappasito's Cantina | 153,000* | 23 |
| 210 | Uncle Julio's | 149,600* | 24 |
| 219 | El Torito | 143,200 | 54 |
| 245 | Abuelo's | 122,100* | 39 |
| 250 | Tijuana Flats | 120,000 | 115 |
*Technomic estimate
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.