FREEBIRDS World Burrito has announced that it will open 16 restaurants in California in 2011, the first of which will be located across from the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles. The restaurant is slated to open Jan. 13.
The move marks the chain’s return to its roots as the original FREEBIRDS restaurant in Santa Barbara, Calif., is still in operation. Meanwhile, concept owner Tavistock Restaurants LLC is looking to develop new locations in the greater Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay Area and the San Diego area. Tavistock operates 44 FREEBIRDS restaurants in Texas and Oklahoma.
“Our FREEBIRDS growth strategy is on track to have 84 company-owned locations open by the end of 2011,” said Bryan Lockwood, president. In addition to the 16 new California restaurants, FREEBIRDS plans to open an additional 24 company-owned restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana by the end of 2011.”
At the USC location, FREEBIRDS will introduce a new Crispy Fish option for burritos, tacos and salads. Additionally, the USC restaurant will serve breakfast burritos and tacos prepared with a choice of steak, bacon or chorizo.
The FREEBIRDS restaurant at USC was designed by architect Chris Smith of CMS Architecture and Design.
