Comments on: Baja Fresh Surrenders

By: peter

peter — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:07:59 +0000

Baja Fresh was a Wendy’s owned chain. they sold them in November after struggling with profits and identity in the fast food market. the company that bought BF is now in the process of seeking franchaisees for the US as they need to grow to survive.

By: peter

peter — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:07:00 +0000

By: Lea

Lea — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:44:53 +0000

Actually, McDonald’s gave Chipotle a lot of money several years ago, but was extremely hands-off when it came to management and operations. McD’s just wanted to jump on the Fresh Mex train, but didn’t want to, and could not, run another company. Today they have no relationship.
Chipotle got to take advantage of McDonald’s unsurpassed food distribution network–not the foods themselves, ’cause they don’t share any, but the logistics. That has allowed Chipotle to expand more rapidly than it would’ve been able to without that advantage.
Chipotle actually cans or freezes nothing. The kitchens make rice and beans multiple times each day, chops and blends salsas, marinates and cooks all the meats–all on site. The food is really quite good, and we are super-picky about Mexican.
And the company’s use of organic and naturally raised ingredients–not exclusively, but they’re adding products methodically–is something you’ll see few other chains doing. In fact, Chipotle gets its pork from the Niman Ranch Cooperative, which has a farm or two in Eastern NC. Chipotle is actually showing other fast-food chains that YES, you can serve healthy, freshly made foods made from high quality, sustainable ingredients. I’m all about that. Naturally raised pork? Organic black beans? rGBH-free sour cream? In a meal that costs $6? Hallelujah.
The way I see it, the more fresh Mexican and Southwestern choices around here, the better. Mmmmmmmmmm.
And, yes, Baja Fresh is Wendy’s, but not for long (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/06/ap3400521.html).
Okay, taking off my Chipotle cheerleader uniform now…I just wanted to say they’re not the typical fast-food chain, though not perfect, and that some of their policies are commendable.
- L

By: Lea

Lea — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:44:00 +0000

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:32:38 +0000

Baja Fresh is a subsidiary of Wendy’s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_Fresh

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:32:00 +0000

Baja Fresh is a subsidiary of Wendy’s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_Fresh

By: NattyBUD

NattyBUD — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:10:30 +0000

Baja Fresh’s service sucked. But their food rocked. Chipotle is just another chain (McDonald’s owned). Chipotle’s food is not as fresh or as tasty as Baja Fresh’s will ever be. Baja Fresh went away mainly due to their high cost of daily operations. If you are another franchise, (chipotle), who can freeze and CAN all of its ingredients to make its shelf life years instead of days, you can weather the storm a lot easier. Its location sucked too. Too difficult to get in and get out of that plaza. I am glad that Salsa Fresh is still there! At least there is still some fresh mexican food in the area.

By: NattyBUD

NattyBUD — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:10:00 +0000

By: sandwalker

sandwalker — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:19:21 +0000

Related to Salsa Fresh, there is a new location as of mid-December in Morrisville at the corner of Davis & Morrisville Carpenter (Near the soon to open Smithfield’s Chicken & BBQ). It’s certainly the largest of the Salsa Fresh chain (3 stores?), same basic design brown instead of white inside.
I had no idea there was going to be one there until it opened. Salsa Fresh apparently has no website so info is hard to find about them.
Living in Apex myself I’m glad to have a closer option other than the Qdoba.

By: sandwalker

sandwalker — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:19:00 +0000