News

Costa Vida riding wave through Utah County

November 21, 2013

Nearly nine years ago, local entrepreneurs Sean Collins and Dave Rutter decided to open the first franchised Costa Vida location in Utah County in Utah. Next week, the men, who are now the respective CEO and president of the fresh-Mexican, fast casual chain, will open the seventh Utah County-based Costa Vida outside the University Mall at 575 E. University Pkwy., in Orem, Utah.

To celebrate the opening in Orem, Costa Vida will award the first 50 adults in line on Nov. 25, one free Costa Vida entrée per week for a year.

The new restaurant will serve as the 33rd Costa Vida location in Utah and the 56th across North America. Both Collins and Rutter, as Utah County natives, have made a dedication to maintain a key number of Costa Vida restaurants as corporate-owned locations, many of which are in Utah.

"This is our home base, we love opening restaurants in Utah County because these locations serve as models for the rest of the Costa Vida brand," said Collins. "Our plan is to continue growing and expanding both within Utah and across North America."

In fact, the eighth Utah County-based Costa Vida restaurant is currently under construction in Lehi and is slated to open in early 2014.

"As franchisors, it's important that we maintain a ground-level perspective on our restaurants," said Rutter. "It helps our credibility if we're looking to roll out a new menu item or marketing plan and we can show franchisees that we've successfully launched it in our home restaurants."

Read more about growth.