El Mesón to open 1st U.S. store in Orlando on June 1
El Mesón Sandwiches will have five locations throughout Central Florida by 2017.
Through a $5 million investment for a total of five restaurants, the chain will expand its operation beyond the island’s shores to deliver its menu of sandwiches, breakfast items, vegetarian fare and coffee to Florida residents, company executives announced.
“We’ve become one of the preferred chains in Puerto Rico’s ‘fast casual’ segment. Our three pillars: taste, quality and service are the main drivers that led us to successfully carry out these expansion plans,” said Felipe Pérez-Grajales president of El Mesón Sandwiches.
The stateside expansion seeks to replicate the chain’s successful formula, from its architectural concept and brand values, to its environment, menu, quality ingredients and great taste, he said.
“Orlando has a lot of tourist traffic and people around the world, including Puerto Ricans. This makes it the ideal place to begin to develop the brand outside the island,”said Pérez
The first El Mesón Sandwiches shop opened in Aguadilla four decades ago. Next in the Florida expansion pipeline is the opening of two more restaurants this year in the Osceola Parkway zone, and three more over the next two years throughout Central Florida.
In Puerto Rico, the company plans to open three new shops in the San Juan metropolitan area by 2016.
