Cilantro Taco Grill
Food & Beverage · Other Food & Beverage
Description
What is Cilantro Taco Grill?
At the heart of Cilantro Taco Grill's success is their signature menu featuring expertly crafted tacos, burritos, tortas, and burrito bowls. Each dish showcases the perfect balance of traditional Mexican cooking techniques with modern culinary innovation. Their double-tortilla tacos, made fresh in-house at their own tortilla factory, have become particularly renowned among customers.
The restaurant's distinctive atmosphere combines contemporary design elements with a warm, welcoming environment, creating an elevated fast-casual dining experience. Their open-kitchen concept demonstrates transparency in food preparation, while their efficient service model ensures quick delivery without compromising quality.
What sets Cilantro Taco Grill apart is their proprietary sauce selection, including their famous house-made cilantro sauce and spicy salsa options, which have developed a loyal following. Their commitment to freshness extends beyond their proteins to include house-made guacamole and authentic Mexican beverages like horchata and tamarind water.
The brand has positioned itself as a superior alternative to conventional fast-casual Mexican chains, offering larger portions, higher quality ingredients, and more authentic flavors at competitive price points. Their business model has proven successful across various markets, appealing to both lunch crowds and dinner patrons, with options for dine-in, takeout, and catering services. This versatility, combined with their focus on quality and authenticity, makes Cilantro Taco Grill a compelling opportunity in the growing Mexican food segment.
- Recently established franchise system (2022) with growth potential
- 15 active units demonstrating operational scalability
- Premium investment positioning in Mexican food segment
- Gross revenue significantly exceeding subsector averages
- Comprehensive Mexican menu including tacos, tortas, and burritos
- Mobile app ordering system with rewards program functionality
Location Analysis
Where Cilantro Taco Grill wins
Their flagship location in Rosemont, Illinois, which maintains exceptional customer satisfaction metrics, exemplifies their successful business model in suburban locations with strong visibility and accessibility. This location's above-average performance suggests particular strength in areas with diverse demographics and robust daytime population flows.
The franchise's strategic distribution between Illinois and Michigan indicates a methodical approach to market development in the Midwest region. Their business model appears most successful in locations that combine good visibility, ample parking, and proximity to business districts or retail centers.
Expansion opportunities exist in neighboring Midwest states with similar demographic patterns and consumer preferences. However, given the brand's recent establishment in 2022, potential franchisees should conduct thorough market analysis before entering new territories. Focus should be placed on mid-sized to large metropolitan areas that mirror the characteristics of their successful existing locations, particularly those with strong lunch crowds and diverse population bases.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Cilantro Taco Grill
The fast-casual Mexican segment benefits from strong consumer demand for authentic, customizable dining experiences, with Mexican cuisine representing one of the fastest-growing restaurant categories. However, this sector faces intense competition from established players and rising operational costs.
As a franchise system established in 2022 with 15 active units, Cilantro represents an early-stage investment opportunity with limited operational track record. While the reported gross revenue of $1,441,658 substantially exceeds sub-sector averages of $260,970, this reflects limited data from a developing system rather than proven performance across multiple markets.
The brand operates in the competitive Other Food & Beverage subsector, competing against 112 other franchise concepts. Territory availability likely offers flexibility for expansion, though prospective investors should evaluate the franchisor's growth strategy and operational support capabilities.
Key considerations include the franchise system's early-stage infrastructure, limited brand recognition, and competitive landscape. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence through comprehensive FDD review and existing franchisee validation before committing to this emerging franchise opportunity.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $378,000 to $835,800. The midpoint $606,900 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Cilantro Taco Grill has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Cilantro Taco Grill's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Cilantro Taco Grill franchise typically ranges between $378,000.00 and $835,800.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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