Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Baja Fresh Franchise

Baja Fresh is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant franchise founded in 1990, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Every location prepares food fresh each day without microwaves, freezers, or can openers. The menu covers tacos, burritos, bowls, fajitas, nachos, and house-made salsas, guacamole, and tortilla soup.

The brand operates under Kahala Brands, a US-based division of MTY Food Group, one of North America’s largest franchise restaurant companies. Two restaurant formats are available: a full-service model and a smaller Express counter-service concept suited to non-traditional venues. The network spans locations across the US, with additional units in the UAE and South Korea.

The brand targets health-conscious consumers looking for fresh, flavorful Mexican food at a fast-casual price point. Fire-grilled proteins, freshly chopped produce delivered at least twice a week, and salsas made in-house daily underpin the model. Baja Fresh began franchising in 1995 and positions its freshness commitment as a differentiator in a segment where many competitors rely on processed ingredients.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Baja Fresh resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Baja Fresh Franchise?

The fast-casual Mexican dining segment is one of the stronger-performing niches in US foodservice, and Baja Fresh’s fresh-ingredients model gives it a credible point of difference. The brand’s rejection of processed shortcuts resonates with a customer base that values ingredient transparency, and the wide menu variety supports repeat visits. Franchisees benefit from established vendor relationships covering line-caught fish and farm-fresh meats and produce delivered on a set schedule.

To buy a Baja Fresh franchise means operating under a recognizable brand with a clear point of difference in its market. The Express format option creates a lower-footprint path to entry in non-traditional venues. Franchisees benefit from the Club Baja Rewards loyalty program and mobile app, which drive return visits, and from marketing support covering social media and SEO.

Baja Fresh Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1990

    • Franchising Since

      1995

    • New Startup Cost

      $428,560 – $1,034,290

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $30,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $15,000

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      3%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      68

    • New Units Opened *

      1

    • Units Transferred *

      2

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $822,568

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Baja Fresh – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Baja Fresh provides initial training at the Kahala Training and Education Center across 40 classroom hours and 240 hours of hands-on instruction, with training running six to eight weeks for traditional locations and four to five weeks for the Express format. Ongoing support includes monthly check-ins and access to the franchise team by phone and email. Marketing assistance covers digital channels including social media and SEO. When buying an existing Baja Fresh unit, confirm what initial training and system access are available to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Baja Fresh franchisee is operations-focused and comfortable managing a kitchen team and front-of-house staff in a high-volume food service environment. A background in restaurants or food service is helpful, though the franchisor's training program is designed to prepare candidates from other industries. Strong attention to food quality standards is essential, as the brand's value proposition depends on consistency in fresh preparation. Multi-unit operators are a natural fit, and candidates who are community-oriented and engaged in their local market tend to suit the model well.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Baja Fresh appears in the Franchise Times Top 400 at #392 (2025), reflecting the brand's sustained presence in the US fast-casual franchise market. The Club Baja Rewards loyalty program and mobile ordering app support customer retention and repeat-visit frequency across the network. Baja Fresh has built consumer recognition since 1990 through its fresh-ingredients positioning, with a loyal following in markets where it has operated long-term. For resale buyers, local online reviews and community visibility for the specific unit are important credibility signals to assess alongside brand-level recognition.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US fast-casual restaurant market is projected to grow by more than USD 97 billion between 2025 and 2030, driven by consumer demand for convenient meals with fresh, transparent ingredients. Mexican cuisine is one of the most popular dining categories in the US, with growing interest in authentic flavors and customizable menus. Fast-casual Mexican concepts benefit from strong repeat-visit frequency and broad demographic appeal. For resale buyers, local customer density, territory demographics, and proximity to complementary traffic are the key unit-level demand factors to assess.

Learn more about
how to own a Baja Fresh franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.