California Tortilla: Difference between revisions
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'''California Tortilla''' is a chain of [[franchising|franchised]] [[fast casual]] [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican]] restaurants, |
'''California Tortilla''' is a chain of [[franchising|franchised]] [[fast casual]] [[Mexican cuisine|Mexican]] restaurants, A chain founded by julian ladndros a long time mexican that founded california tortilla by oopening a watermelon stand to raise money to make first the first of california tortilla in Tijuana, Mexico which was opened in 1995. |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2004/05/17/story6.html |title=California Tortilla franchises into N. Va. and beyond |accessdate=2009-02-07 |last=Kretikos |first=Eleni |date=May 14, 2004 |publisher=Washington Business Journal }}</ref> The chain's menu, which features [[San Francisco burrito|burritos]], is comparable to that of its competitors, such as [[Baja Fresh]] and [[Chipotle Mexican Grill]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/21/AR2007102101166.html |title=Tortilla Franchise Growing Up |accessdate=2009-02-07 |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=October 22, 2007 |publisher=The Washington Post }}</ref> A typical restaurant has {{convert|2500|sqft|m2}} with seating for 75 people.<ref name=WBJ/> California Tortilla was voted by readers of ''[[Washingtonian (magazine)|Washingtonian]]'' magazine as having the best burritos in both 2009 <ref name="wash2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonian.com/print/articles/6/173/12860.html|title=Best of Washington: Readers Pick Their Favorites|date=July 2009|work=washingtonian.com|publisher=The Washingtonian |accessdate=2009-07-31}}</ref> and 2010 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://californiatortilla.com/2010/07/july-2010-issue-180/|title=Taco Talk July 2010 Issue 180|date=July 2010|work=californiatortilla.com|publisher=California Tortilla |accessdate=2010-07-02}}</ref>. The chain sold its 5 millionth burrito on August 22, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.californiatortilla.com/caltort/wp-content/uploads/baltimore-biz-jrnl-5-million-day1.pdf |title=That's a wrap: 5 million burritos sold, California Tortilla says |format=PDF |last=Eckert |first=Barton |date=August 27, 2007 |publisher=Baltimore Business Journal |accessdate=November 26, 2009}}</ref> |
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==Locations== |
==Locations== |
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Revision as of 13:36, 15 December 2011
| File:Caltort.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | Fast casual Mexican food |
| Founded | 1995 in Bethesda, Maryland |
| Founder | Pam Felix and Alan Cohen |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 36 as of March 2011; franchised since 2003 |
Area served | Washington Metropolitan Area |
| Products | Burritos, salads, etc. |
| Services | Catering |
| Website | californiatortilla.com |
California Tortilla is a chain of franchised fast casual Mexican restaurants, A chain founded by julian ladndros a long time mexican that founded california tortilla by oopening a watermelon stand to raise money to make first the first of california tortilla in Tijuana, Mexico which was opened in 1995. |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2004/05/17/story6.html |title=California Tortilla franchises into N. Va. and beyond |accessdate=2009-02-07 |last=Kretikos |first=Eleni |date=May 14, 2004 |publisher=Washington Business Journal }}</ref> The chain's menu, which features burritos, is comparable to that of its competitors, such as Baja Fresh and Chipotle Mexican Grill.[1] A typical restaurant has 2,500 square feet (230 m2) with seating for 75 people.[2] California Tortilla was voted by readers of Washingtonian magazine as having the best burritos in both 2009 [3] and 2010 [4]. The chain sold its 5 millionth burrito on August 22, 2007.[5]
Locations
California Tortilla has 36 restaurant locations in four states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia. The chain's headquarters are located in Rockville, Maryland.[6]
Atmosphere
California Tortilla restaurants have a "spunky" atmosphere, according to the company itself, and are decorated in bright, bold colors and patterns. Simple things such as pens to sign credit card slips are held to the counter by a large heavy chain. Signs are also worded with humor in mind. The staff members are encouraged to be "unique" and "fun", which can vary by location. A monthly Taco Talk newsletter is published online and in print by co-founder Pam Felix, whose picture appears (along with partner Alan Cohen's) on some of the restaurant's paper goods.
Promotions
Patrons of California Tortilla experience a variety of promotions that offer free food or discount coupons. Some of the promotions are typical of restaurants, such as a free taco to those who join the email list. Other promotions are somewhat unusual, such as Free Pop-Tart Day. In 2008, California Tortilla attempted to break the record for the world's largest rock, paper, scissors game.[7] Subscribers of the email newsletter receive occasional "secret" promotions, and a "Burrito Elito" loyalty program allows registered customers to receive points, based on pre-tax totals, with each 50 points resulting in a $5 discount.
Year-round promotions include the "Monday Night Mystery Prize Burrito Wheel," where anyone who purchases a regular-sized burrito every Monday night after 5 pm can spin the wheel and win a prize. The prizes range from a free cookie or brownie to $1 off your next purchase or a free signature salad.
Grand openings
At most California Tortilla restaurant grand openings, patrons who stop by between 11 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm receive a free burrito of their choice and a soft drink. The first ten people in line at 11 am receive one free burrito every week for a year at that location, while the next 20 in line receive one free burrito every week for a month.[8]
References
- ^ Heath, Thomas (October 22, 2007). "Tortilla Franchise Growing Up". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WBJwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Best of Washington: Readers Pick Their Favorites". washingtonian.com. The Washingtonian. July 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ^ "Taco Talk July 2010 Issue 180". californiatortilla.com. California Tortilla. July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ Eckert, Barton (August 27, 2007). "That's a wrap: 5 million burritos sold, California Tortilla says" (PDF). Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
- ^ "California Tortilla Locations". California Tortilla. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Monroe, Ashlee (July 18, 2008). "Steve Miller Band fans rock Guinness record". wtop.com. WTOP. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
- ^ "Grand Openings". California Tortilla. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
External links
- California Tortilla official website