Burritos, burritos, more burritos, burgers and brunch: These are some of the themes of Colorado’s largest fast-casual exports.
Chipotle (while no longer headquartered here) is by far the biggest of them all, while Illegal Pete’s is smallest in number and Santiago’s, bless its chile-soaked heart, is still scattered 28 locations strong across the mother state.
You’ll note that the 1990s were particularly fruitful years for our fast-casual heavyweights. Seven of them started and flourished in that supersized decade, while in the aughts, menus with “salad” and “breakfast” came into play.
Here, a list of 15 fast-casual concepts that were born here and made it big. And make sure to check out our opinionated guide to
1. Quiznos
Year opened: 1981
Current locations: around 800 internationally, according to 2018 company reports
Popular for: toasted subs and that one-time
2. Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta
Year opened: 1984
Current locations: 23 along the Front Range,
Popular for: New York-style pizza, available by the slice
3. Good Times
Year opened: 1987
Current locations: 36 across Colorado and Wyoming,
Popular for: burgers and so many spoonbenders
4. Santiago’s
Year opened: 1991
Current locations: 28 around Colorado,
Popular for: green chile breakfast burritos
5. Chipotle
Year opened: 1993
Current locations: more than 2,500 in 50 states,
Popular for: burritos, bowls and — hotly debated — queso
6. Qdoba
Year opened: 1995
Current locations: more than 700 in 47 states and Canada,
Popular for: burritos
7. Noodles & Co.
Year opened: 1995
Current locations: 459 in 30 states,
Popular for: pasta
8. Illegal Pete’s
Year opened: 1995
Current locations: 11 in Colorado and Arizona,
Popular for: burritos, bowls and definitely queso
9. Tokyo Joe’s
Year opened: 1996
Current locations: 48 in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and California,
Popular for: build-your-own bowls and sushi
10. Snarf’s Sandwiches
Year opened: 1996
Current locations: 23 across Colorado, Missouri and Texas,
Popular for: toasted sammies
11. Mad Greens
Year opened: 2004
Current locations: 32 in Colorado, Arizona and Texas,
Popular for: salad bowls
12. Snooze
Year opened: 2006
Current locations: 38 in Colorado, California, Texas, Arizona and North Carolina,
Popular for: boozy brunch
13. Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
Year opened: 2007
Current locations: 26 in Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania,
Popular for: Mediterranean wraps
14. Smashburger
Year opened: 2007
Current locations: 341 in 37 states and six countries,
Popular for: that namesake burger, fries and milkshakes
15. Modern Market
Year opened: 2009
Current locations: 32 in Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, Maryland and Washington, D.C., .
Popular for: sandwiches and breakfast bowls