GEDA : News Releases

Barberitos Celebrates Ten Years of Success

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release
2-18-2010
Media Contact:
Rachel Tate
Marketing Director
706-316-3344
rtate@barberitos.com

Athens, GA- In February 2000, Barberitos opened its doors at 259 East Clayton Street in Athens, Georgia. Ten years and 21 locations later, Barberitos is still serving the freshest Tex-Mex cuisine in the Southeast.

Behind every great restaurant is a great philosophy. Downing Barber discovered Southwestern cuisine when living in Colorado and traveling through the Southwest. Upon making this discovery, he decided to create his own special recipes and pursue his dream of becoming a business owner. Barber soon began proudly serving the freshest burritos in Athens, Georgia. Three years later, Barberitos began franchising.

“Before I was an employee at Barberitos I was a customer and I had friends who worked at there. I always thought it seemed but be a cool job and never realized what hard work it was until I was began working there. Now that I have been with the franchise since 2003, I realize that I have watched Barberitos grow up as I have grown up and it’s been a great experience. Restaurants don’t make it ten years unless the people behind it have a great work ethic and a heart for service”, said Phil Kohnen, General Manager of the Eastside location and Barberitos Training Director, as he reflected on the past ten years.

Barberitos offers not only a variety of burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas and nachos, but also Jerk Fish Tacos on Fridays, tofu that is marinated in-house with a special recipe and the popular vegetarian-friendly California Burrito which is served with fresh sliced avocados. The food is made-to-order right in front of the customer, fulfilling any request that the customer may have.

The current advertising campaign promotes the “farm fresh” concept which Barberitos goes to great lengths to define. Fresh, all natural vegetables are ordered daily and cut processed in the restaurant. Salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, all meat marinades, the Southwestern Vinaigrette and Chipotle Ranch are all made from scratch. Barberitos restaurants do not have freezers or microwaves and no fats or preservatives are added in the preparation of the food. Barberitos grills fresh, whole breasts of chicken which are never frozen and orders high quality cuts of steak and choice ground beef. Barberitos will never compromise this farm fresh concept and does not tolerate anything less than the freshest tasting food. After all, the commitment to serving all natural, fresh food that is made in-house daily is what has established Barberitos.

To celebrate the anniversary, Barberitos will be hosting a 10 year Birthday Party at the Downtown Athens location. There will be live salsa music from 6:00 pm to 10: pm on Friday, February 26th 2010.

About Barberitos

Barberitos, headquartered in Athens, Georgia, is a quick service restaurant which offers fresh, Tex-Mex cuisine. There are 21 Barberitos locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Barberitos to Open its First Store in Metro Atlanta on December 1st

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release
11-24-2009
Media Contact:
Rachel Tate
Marketing Director
706-316-3344
rtate@barberitos.com

Athens, GA – Barberitos, an all natural and fresh, Tex-Mex restaurant, is introducing a new location in Roswell, Georgia. Barberitos will open on December 1st in the Mansell Shops on the corner of Mansell Road and Alpharetta Highway.

“We’re thankful to our customers for their continued support, allowing us to continually grow. We are also excited to introduce our farm fresh concept to the Roswell market. We hope to exceed our customers’ expectations.” remarked Downing Barber, Founder and CEO of Barberitos Franchising.

Barberitos opened its first location in Athens in 2000. Since then, the total number of Barberitos Franchise restaurants has grown to 21 in the Southeastern United States.
Barberitos will be the only quick serve, Southwestern Cantina in Roswell that offers not only a variety of burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas and nachos, but also Jerk Fish Tacos on Fridays, tofu that is marinated in-house with a special recipe and the popular vegetarian-friendly California Burrito which is served with fresh sliced avocados.

At Barberitos, the food is made-to-order right in front of the customer, fulfilling any request that the customer may have. “We are truly excited about introducing the proven concept of Barberitos to the Roswell area” said Dennis Anderson, owner of the new Barberitos in Roswell.

Barberitos is emerging as a major player in fast, casual Tex-Mex cuisine and plans to continue growth in the coming years. Commitment to serving only fresh, natural foods that are made in-house daily has helped establish Barberitos. There are Barberitos locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Barberitos Continues to Grow, Even During the Economic Recession

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Rachel Tate
Marketing Director
706-316-3344
rtate@barberitos.com

Barberitos, an all-natural, fresh Tex-Mex restaurant is introducing two new locations to the Athens area. On April 9, Barberitos opened at The Town Center in Watkinsville, Georgia and on June 1, Barberitos will open in the new Tate II Student Center at The University of Georgia.

“We’re thankful to our customers, especially during the current economic recession, for their continued support. We feel fortunate that Barberitos is experiencing growth during this time” said Downing Barber, Founder and CEO of Barberitos Franchising.

Barberitos opened its first location in Athens in January 2000. Since then, the total number of Barberitos Franchise restaurants has grown to 22 in the Southeastern United States.

Located downtown at The Town Center, the Watkinsville Barberitos encompasses 2,600 square feet and provides seating for 80 customers. In addition to providing “Way Fresher, Way Better” Tex-Mex food, catering for special events and celebrations is also available. “Watkinsville is a thriving community and it has always been on radar in terms of opening a Barberitos,” said David Weeks, the Watkinsville Barberitos owner. “We couldn’t be happier to be downtown at the Town Center, where we can proudly serve the residents of Oconee County.”

At The Tate Student Center, Barberitos has adapted its model and operational procedure to fit University of Georgia’s requirements. Opening a restaurant in the Tate Student Center is an exciting concept since it is the first Barberitos of its kind. Downing Barber remarked that, if the Tate Student Center Barberitos is a success, Barberitos will pursue other on campus dining opportunities.

Commitment to serving only fresh, natural foods that are made in-house daily has helped established Barberitos as an emerging player in fast, casual Tex-Mex cuisine. With 22 locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, Barberitos plans to continue its growth through franchise opportunities.

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Spicy Chicken Burrito Commercial

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Professor Downing Barber tests out the formula for his new Spicy Chicken Burrito. The test subject proves Professor Barber’s hypothesis… IT’S THE FIRE!!!

Let's Do Lunch: Barberitos/Anderson Independent Mail

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

All too often, we don’t go somewhere new or different because we don’t know what to expect. That is where this feature, “Let’s Do Lunch,” comes in. Each week, we highlight a different spot that you can try for lunch. We tell you about prices, atmosphere and anything else you need to know before showing up and chowing down.

And if you have a place we should go, don’t hesitate to drop a line. It’s always lunchtime around here.

Barberitos

112 Common Parkway, Anderson; 864.225.4646

One of the most popular cuisine in the world has to be of the Mexican variety.

The simplicity of the dishes and the complexities of flavor makes Mexican food an adventure with every bite. It can be hot, savory, mild and even relaxing. It can be made using a wide array of food stuffs and attracts all palettes to its fold.

Even quick Mexican fare is insanely popular at present, especially when you are talking about a lunch during the work week.

On Commons Parkway in Anderson, just in front of Lowe’s and Target, is Barberitos, a relatively new addition to the Mexican family in the Electric City.

Barberitos is known for its tacos, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas and, most of all, their burritos. One of the easiest foods to make, but most difficult to master, the burrito is an ultimate quick lunch food and Barberitos does it right.

They offer a huge variety of flavor options from chicken, steak and ground beef to black or pinto beans to the many additions like fresh salsa, jalapenos or black olives. They also allow you to choose your wrap from plain to sun-dried tomato to the new addition of wheat.

You make your order quick and get it fast after telling them just what you want it dressed with. Then, with a scoop of chips and some complimentary salsa, you are off to one of their many booths.

With TVs set to news and ESPN, traditionally, its easy to catch up on some boob tube info or just chat with a handful of friends you invited along. The atmosphere is relaxed and you can get it all for right around $9 to $10.

It’s quick Mexican, in house or on the go, and ideal for a fast lunch among friends or co-workers.

Barberitos Ranks 2nd as Best Vegan Food in Athens

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Best Vegan Food Athens has to Offer As part of National Vegetarian Awareness Month, Athens Vegetarians (http://vegetarian.meetup.com/508) conducted a poll of members to find out what they think are the most vegan friendly restaurants and grocery stores in the area. Athens is one of the few cities in Georgia that really knows great vegan food. We have much to celebrate, with some of the best tasting vegan cuisine anywhere in the country! Athens Vegetarians polled its well informed membership for the best vegan friendly restaurants and grocery stores in the area. Honing the list down to a reasonable size was no easy undertaking. More and more savvy restaurant and grocery store owners are offering tempting vegan dishes to their patrons. We had literally dozens of choices. Vegan living, one of the fastest growing trends in the country, has gone mainstream. People wanting to live lives that care for the environment, other species and their own health are choosing a vegan lifestyle. As we expected, The Grit came out well on top of the survey with an 84% approval rating. They have been catering to this growing population of vegheads for many years and know how to serve up the best and widest variety of vegan vittles. What followed may surprise even some of the self-proclaimed veggie gourmets of the area. Number two in the survey was Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina coming in with a high 68% approval rating! This Southeast US chain of stores serves up some great tasting, nutrition packed vegan food for little money. Close on their heels was downtown’s Transmetropolitan with 65% approval rating. Here are the full results: 84% The Grit, http://www.thegrit.com 68% Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina, http://www.barberitos.com 65% Transmetropolitan, downtown Athens 60% Thai Spoon, downtown Athens 59% Big City Bread Cafe,http://bigcitybreadcafe.com 58% Doc Chey’s Noodle House, http://www.doccheysnoodlehouse.com 57% Taste of India, http://indiaathens.com/vegan.htm 54% Clocked!, http://www.clockedrestaurant.com 49% Siri Thai, downtown Athens 46% The Grill, http://www.thegrillathensga.com 46% White Tiger Gourmet Food & Chocolates, Normaltown 40% Mama’s Boy, http://www.eatatmamasboy.com Not too surprising were the results of the grocery store poll. Leading the way was Athens’ own Daily Groceries Co-op with a whooping 84% approval rating! Daily’s Co-op has several great vegan sandwiches and dips in their deli. Earth Fare followed with a 65% approval rating. Here are the complete results: 84% Daily Groceries Co-op, http://dailygroceries.org 65% Earth Fare, http://www.earthfare.com 52% Kroger, http://www.kroger.com 49% Publix, http://www.publix.com *Each restaurant and grocery store was rated on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is best. The vegan trend is clear and the choices are growing here in Athens and around the country. No matter what your food choices are today, you can always learn more about this emerging lifestyle! Meet great people and discover more about healthy, sustainable, compassionate living. Athens Vegetarians does cooking demos, presentations, potlucks, dine outs and more. Joining is FREE with no obligation. Check them out online. JC Corcoran, Organizer Athens Vegetarians http://vegetarian.meetup.com/508/

Best of Augusta/Augusta Magazine

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Two years in a row, Augusta Magazine has awarded Barberitos with the “Best Burrito” award in the Best of Augusta 2008. The award is voted on by Augusta residents. Barberitos is proud to accept this award in 2008 and is excited to continuously provide Augusta residents with the best burritos in town!

Barberitos going pink for Cancer effort/ Athens Banner Herald

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Athens-based restaurant chain Barberitos has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and its passionatelypink.org Web site to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

On Oct. 1, each of Barberitos 20 locations will serve pink chips with every burrito and taco to kick off a month long “pink out” supporting breast cancer.

Throughout the month, all locations will serve pink cheese dip and wear breast cancer awareness shirts. Customers can donate to the fundraiser through the Barberitos Web site at www.barberitos.com to their Passionately Pink for the Cure fund raising page. Each donor will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to their location.

There are Barberitos locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Reader's Choice Awards/Athens Banner Herald

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Six years in a row, the Athens Banner-Herald has awarded Barberitos with the “Best Burrito” award in the Food and Drink category of the Reader’s Choice Awards. The award is voted on by Athens Banner-Herald subscribers. Barberitos is proud to accept this award in 2008 and is excited to continuously provide Athens and Oconee residents with the best burritos in town!

Boro businesses happy students are back/Statesboro Herald

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

What some local residents view as a nuisance is a welcome sight to local business owners. Georgia Southern students have returned in record numbers for Fall semester bringing their pocket books and wallets with them.

“If anybody here wants to say anything about a Georgia Southern student, they will have to take it up with me,” said Craig Deal, owner of Deal’s Furniture, Mattress Outlet, and Gift Shop on Highway 67 South. “I don’t want to hear it. They pump so much money into our local economy, it is incredible. I understand that it averages one million dollars a day when school is in session.”

According to a study released by Georgia Southern’s Bureau of Business Research and Development (BBRED) in 2007, the University pumped $719,233,212 into the economies of nine Southeast Georgia counties in 2006-2007. Whether those numbers are accurate or not is inconsequential to local business owners. They only know that Georgia Southern students are extremely important to the livelihood of their businesses, and many wouldn’t survive without them.

“On sorority rush bid day, we had the largest single sales day any Barberitos has ever had,” said Jeremy Coulter, owner of Barberitos restaurant in the Market District. “We catered the event attended by over 750 people. It was a phenomenal day for us, and all because of Georgia Southern.”

Coulter said he has a number of professionals that eat at his restaurant during the day, but students and their eating schedules are just different.

“They eat all of the time,” he said. “At three in the afternoon, late at night, it doesn’t matter, they are always eating, and that is very good for us. We really, really miss them when school is not in session. I honestly didn’t know the economic impact the students make until my wife and I opened up this restaurant. They are a breath of fresh air.”

Deal said he sells hundreds of mattresses to students each year representing well over 25 percent of his mattress business in a relatively short period of time.

“The push begins in late June running right up until the start of school,” he said. “We are really, really busy, and it is almost exclusively students. We have parents that come in to buy furniture and such for their children, and then turn around and buy stuff for themselves and haul it back to Atlanta or wherever. It just multiplies.”

Robbie Richardson, owner of Hugo’s Restaurant in downtown Statesboro, said he saw a noticeable difference when the public school system started its new academic year at the beginning of August.

“I guess it isn’t just college students that leave,” Richardson said. “It is professors and folks that service the University. When their children start back to school, they come back and bring the business with them. However, that isn’t nearly as impactful as when Georgia Southern students come back. I mean look around, look at all of the students that are eating in here.”

Richardson said local restaurants plan for a drop in business over the summer, but were blindsided this year by the increased cost of food.

“It’s one thing to anticipate a slowdown, but the rise in the cost of food we couldn’t and didn’t plan for,” he said. “It has been a very hard summer for everyone. The last two weeks have truly been a blessing. Thank you Georgia Southern and welcome back.”

Serenity Day Spa and Salon owner Karen Lambert said the absence of university students impacts the salon’s younger stylists the most.

“Those stylists depend on the student population because that is the demographic of their customer, so it is slow for them in the summer,” she said. “It is a rough few weeks, but they manage. I know how glad they are when everyone comes back for school.” Deal said he doesn’t understand some people’s perceptions of the students admitting a few “bad apples” seem to grab all of the attention.

“Almost all of the kids that come in here are very, very nice and polite,” he said. “I know there are a few bad ones out there, but most of them are just great. We are truly blessed to have an economic engine like Georgia Southern University. I believe that with all of my heart.”