Franchising
Ballard Brands, The Garces Restaurant Group franchising Buena Onda
January 19, 2022
Ballard Brands, which owns PJ's Coffee of New Orleans and WOW American Eats, has partnered with The Garces Restaurant Group, to expand Buena Onda, a taqueria created by Chef Jose Garces.
By spring, the fast causal restaurant will be open in Main Line in Radnor, Pennsylvania, as well as in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse neighborhood with more on the way, according to a company press release. The plan also includes a brand refresh at the original Buena Onda in Fairmount, Philadelphia.
"Our team has worked hard at developing a national expansion strategy in partnership with Ballard Brands since the pandemic began," Garces said in the release. "It has been great collaborating with my partners at Ballard Brands to bring Buena Onda and other concepts to new places and to reach new audiences."
Each location will offer Buena Onda's signature dishes, such as environmentally conscious seafood tacos, classic tacos, Buena bowls, nachos, guacamole, chips and salsa, rice and beans and churros. Customers can also order margaritas, beer, wine, sangria and sodas.
How it began
The partnership with Ballard Brands and Garces dates back to 2018, when Ballard and Garces created IdEATion Hospitality, where Garces now serves as chief culinary officer.
"Since Jose's partnership with Ballard Brands began in 2018, we have been working towards a national expansion strategy that capitalizes on both of our strengths," said IdEATion Hospitality COO Scott Campanella. "This strategy is realized as we couple Ballard Brands experience in the QSR market with Jose's culinary expertise and uncompromising dedication to hospitality. We are excited for the next step in this journey."
Buena Onda customers can expect a stronger nod to the beachside surf shacks in which the brand is inspired, including dune fencing and an authentic boardwalk feel. They'll also notice a lighter, whitewash wood and nods to an "Endless Summer" vibe throughout the interiors. Also, locations moving forward will feature alcoholic beverages but without the formal bar inside the dining space. The beverage programs will place an emphasis on cans and bottles, including canned Buena Onda branded margaritas in a variety of flavors like classic, strawberry, prickly pear, etc, according to the release.
In an effort to improve both guest and delivery driver experiences, each location will incorporate design elements that provide functional storage, as well as a set area for pick-ups for delivery platforms and for guests for take-out.
"The current take-out culture mixed with the ongoing environment of working from home has made this the perfect time to expand and bring Buena Onda to the Main Line," Garces said. "The Radnor location was attractive to us for the premium quality of neighboring restaurants, and I'm thrilled to introduce Buena Onda into this dynamic market. Inspired by surf towns along the Mexican coastline, this quick service restaurant features a menu focused heavily on seafood."
IdEATtion Hospitality is working on a model to franchise Buena Onda. Ballard Brands will manage the model.
