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Qdoba

Food

Cinnamon emerges as restaurants’ go-to comfort spice for desserts

 By Bret Thorn on Jul. 15, 2026

Its warming qualities and association with holidays are helping it to trend on menus.

Leadership

After 30 years, Qdoba catches a wave

 By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 15, 2025

Despite being a distant second in the fast-casual Mexican category, Qdoba hopes to step out of Chipotle's shadow with its signature promise of free queso and guac.

Financing

Qdoba gets a $527M investment

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 05, 2025

Butterfly Equity acquired the fast-casual chain in 2022 from Apollo. Now an affiliate of Apollo has led a significant investment to fund Butterfly's continued revitalization of the franchise brand.

Leadership

Qdoba was one of the fast-casual winners of 2024

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 24, 2025

CEO John Cywinski said franchisees from both QSR and casual dinning see Qdoba as their way into the booming fast-casual space.

Operations

Qdoba and Chipotle to pay millions to settle alleged labor violations in Washington state

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 22, 2024

Qdoba agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle a pay transparency lawsuit. Chipotle agreed to pay more than $3 million in a case related to alleged scheduling and paid leave violations in Seattle.

Financing

Once 'orphaned,' Qdoba's new parent sees much whitespace for growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 11, 2024

John Cywinski hints going public could be in the Mexican fast casual's future if the revitalization strategy comes to fruition as planned.

Operations

Modern Market Eatery launches first drive-thru as parent company continues investments in franchising growth path

By Lisa Jennings on Nov. 29, 2023

Sister brand Qdoba to see remodels and new digital menu boards as Modern Restaurant Concepts refinances debt.

Operations

How John Cywinski plans to grow Qdoba Mexican Eats and Modern Market

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 21, 2023

The CEO of Qdoba-parent Modern Restaurant Concepts is borrowing from the playbook used during his leadership at Applebee's and KFC. The first step, however, was selling the Lemonade brand.

Operations

Qdoba is betting on franchising to double its unit count

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 10, 2023

The No. 2 Mexican fast casual has a long way to go to get close in size to arch rival Chipotle, but Qdoba is refranchising in a shift to the asset-light model.

Food

After a pandemic break, restaurants added a lot of new menu items this summer

By Patricia Cobe on Aug. 03, 2023

Customers returned to dining out and operators greeted them with a record number of limited-time offers. The result was a summer of love on restaurant menus.

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