Burrito Shak Expanding Into Kannapolis with New Franchise Location
Burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, chips, and queso will anchor the menu.
KANNAPOLIS, NC — Burrito Shak is targeting a late August or early September opening at 4941 Dogwood Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28081, where Mike Gracer and his wife, Christine Gracer, are opening a family-owned and operated franchise, Gracer told Business Debut.
The restaurant will open in the new Kellswater Commons shopping center, which Gracer said will be anchored by Lowe’s Foods.
Gracer said the team expected to receive the keys to the space on May 22, with construction anticipated to begin within about 30 days. The buildout is expected to take about 90 days once construction begins, Gracer told Business Debut.
What to Expect
Burrito Shak will bring a beach-inspired, fast-casual restaurant to Kannapolis with burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, chips, queso and drinks. Gracer described the restaurant as a laid-back concept with beach music and a walk-through ordering line where guests choose ingredients as their meals are made.
“It is a very laid back beach vibe,” Gracer told Business Debut. “It is very similar to Chipotle, but it is, in my opinion, a lot better. It’s fresh, it’s good.”
The Kannapolis restaurant is expected to seat about 40 guests inside and will also have outdoor patio seating, Gracer told Business Debut.
Menu and Vision
The menu will focus mostly on burritos, with tacos and burrito bowls also available. Gracer said the brand also offers occasional holiday or seasonal specials, including items for Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Gracer said his favorite items include the S-Turn burrito, made with steak, guacamole, lettuce, onions and tomatoes, and the Rincon burrito. His children are fans of the burrito bowls.
Images from Burrito Shak website
“All of my kids love the burrito bowls,” Gracer told Business Debut. “We don’t have one close to us, but sometimes we travel a good hour to Greensboro just to get some of the food.”
Family-Owned Franchise
This will be the Gracers’ first restaurant and first franchise. Gracer said he and Christine have worked in the financial industry for 26 years and were looking for a change when they began exploring Burrito Shak.
“The food and the atmosphere when you go in there,” Gracer told Business Debut. “It is very beach vibe. It’s very relaxed. It’s very friendly.”
Gracer said Burrito Shak franchisors David Longo and Kara Longo have helped guide the process and made the family feel welcomed. The Gracers had been searching for a Charlotte-area location for more than two years before finding the Kannapolis space, Gracer told Business Debut.
Opening Timeline
Burrito Shak is targeting a late August or early September opening.
Hours
The restaurant is expected to open seven days a week. Tentative hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Follow for More
Local Facebook and Instagram pages for Burrito Shak Kannapolis are to be announced. Visit the brands Website to learn more.
Ross McWaters