Following a period of financial upheaval, Tijuana Flats has marked a significant milestone in its recovery by reopening one of its locations near Orlando's Mall at Millenia. The restaurant at 4693 Gardens Park Blvd. held its grand re-opening ceremony this Tuesday, signaling a fresh start for the once-struggling chain. As reported by ClickOrlando, the choice of this particular store for reopening was attributed to its high-profile location.
The Winter Park-based eatery faced extensive challenges, including multiple location closures in April. During restructuring, efforts focused on a particular location, the company managed to renegotiate its leasing agreement, which, according to a company spokesperson, allowed for a feasible path to reopening. Despite once drowning in over $50,000 of unpaid rent, as court records from May disclosed, this particular branch near Orlando looks poised to turn a new leaf.
Extensive changes have been implemented in the background of public celebrations to enhance the customer experience. "Most of the changes for the restaurant’s reopening were done back of house by upgrading equipment,” a Tijuana Flats spokesperson mentioned, emphasizing an improvement in food quality. The Tex-Mex restaurant, known for its tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and flautas, has stated, "We believe the product improvements we have made reestablish Tijuana Flats as having among the most flavorful, authentic Mexican food in fast casual," as per details shared by ClickOrlando.
However, the company's challenges have been more than just financial. Struggling to retain customer loyalty, Tijuana Flats has experimented with its menu offerings, with mixed reactions from the public. For instance, the chain has removed longstanding items such as fried shrimp, swapped out pico de gallo, and added queso to dishes previously not included. This attempt to rediscover a winning formula comes after a noticeable dip in popularity, attributed by some customers to a decline in food quality, as discussed in numerous online reviews, according to WFTV.
While there are no plans to reopen more of the previously closed locations, the brand is expanding with three franchised stores slated for Kentucky and Tennessee. The chain's footprint includes approximately 90 locations in Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.
