Cilantro Taco Grill^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2024

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What Is Cilantro Taco Grill?

Cilantro Taco Grill is a fast-casual franchise offering authentic Mexican cuisine such as tacos, burritos, salads, and tortas. Franchised businesses provide dine-in and take-out services and, after three months of operation and with the franchisor's prior written approval, may offer catering and delivery. With the franchisor's approval and subject to applicable laws and permits, restaurants may also sell beer and wine. Typical locations are high-traffic sites including strip mall complexes, shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and free-standing locations.

Cilantro Taco Grill Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise's standout strength is its training and support score of 100 — well above typical — which speeds ramp-up and reduces early operational mistakes; its main risk is having zero franchised units (bottom 5% for Food and Beverage), meaning the system is early-stage with no franchisees to interview.

Pros

A training and support score of 100 — well above typical (top quarter) — means unusually strong onboarding and ongoing operational support, which speeds your ramp-up and reduces early operational mistakes.

Zero disclosed lawsuits, judgments, government penalties, or franchisor-initiated enforcement — well below typical — signals a clean legal and compliance record, lowering the likelihood of costly disputes or regulatory problems.

Managers are not required to hold equity (0% required) — well below typical — giving you flexibility to hire, incentivize, or structure management without forced ownership splits.

Cons

Zero franchised units — well below typical for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%) — indicates the system is early-stage, so you won’t have existing franchisees to interview and the concept hasn’t been widely tested under real-world franchise conditions.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

49/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. Protection is contingent on meeting performance quotas; the franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, sell via e-commerce and alternative channels, introduce trademarks and operate in alternative venues or retail, while site-specific rights permit franchisee relocation.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

Cilantro Taco Grill provides a comprehensive 126-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site operational readiness and launch support; franchisees are responsible for travel and lodging, living expenses, and any additional fees associated with on-site assistance.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Cilantro Taco Grill Franchise?

Opening a Cilantro Taco Grill franchise requires a total initial investment of $273,000 to $730,800, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$273,000

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$730,800

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$35,000

Real Estate$115,000

Equipment & Assets$78,000

Reserves$25,000

Training$1,500

Other$18,500

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$44,000

Real Estate$330,000

Equipment & Assets$222,000

Reserves$100,000

Training$8,800

Other$26,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Cilantro Taco Grill Franchise Owners Make?

Cilantro Taco Grill franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,441,658 and median gross sales of $1,068,976 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$1,441,658

Median Gross Sales:

$1,068,976

High Gross Sales:

$2,656,918

Low Gross Sales:

$807,971

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

38.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Only affiliate-owned outlet data are provided for 2023, so no direct comparison to franchised-unit performance is possible; the affiliate outlets averaged about 1.44 million in gross sales.

Performance Variability Analysis: Performance varies materially across outlets, with 2023 gross sales ranging from 807,970.83 to 2,656,917.84 and only 5 of 13 outlets exceeding the average, indicating a skewed distribution.

Data Scope and Limitations: The sample is small (13 affiliate-owned locations) and these outlets differ from franchised outlets in fees and marketing obligations, so results may not predict franchisee outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Cilantro Taco Grill franchise?

The total initial investment for a Cilantro Taco Grill franchise ranges from $273,000 to $730,800, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Cilantro Taco Grill initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Cilantro Taco Grill is $35,000, as stated in the 2024 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do Cilantro Taco Grill franchise owners make?

Cilantro Taco Grill franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,441,658 and median gross sales of $1,068,976 in 2024, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does Cilantro Taco Grill have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Cilantro Taco Grill received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2024 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does Cilantro Taco Grill offer exclusive franchise territories?

Cilantro Taco Grill received a territory protection score of 49 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Cilantro Taco Grill provide to new franchisees?

Cilantro Taco Grill received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. Cilantro Taco Grill provides a comprehensive 126-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch.

How many Cilantro Taco Grill franchise locations are there?

Cilantro Taco Grill had 15 total locations as of the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Cilantro Taco Grill?

Cilantro Taco Grill is a fast-casual franchise offering authentic Mexican cuisine such as tacos, burritos, salads, and tortas.

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