A new franchise group has acquired all Colorado Springs locations of Qdoba, the San Diego-based fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain that traces its roots back to Denver.

B Wild Investments LLC, via affiliate 7 Star Restaurants LLC, has acquired 20 Qdoba restaurants from one of its longtime franchise groups, the brand announced earlier this month. This includes 16 across Colorado and four surrounding Anchorage, Alaska. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Colorado locations span the Western Slope, a news release said, including in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Montrose, Steamboat Springs and Vail, and all Colorado Springs restaurants. There are six Qdoba locations throughout the city, including one on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus that is temporarily closed, the company website shows.

The transaction makes B Wild Investments one of Qdoba’s largest U.S. franchise groups. It’s on its way to operating 70 restaurants in Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, according to an Oct. 15 news release.

“Finalizing this deal marks a defining moment for me and my team,” B Wild Investments founder and CEO Barry Dubin stated in the release. “I’m very excited to join Qdoba, given the strength and momentum of the brand, as well as the very attractive opportunity to expand within existing and into new markets.”

His strategy is to develop new units and purchase other existing Qdoba locations “while also honoring the strong operational foundation built by the former franchise owner,” Dubin added.

Dubin told The Gazette he’ll remodel some of Colorado Springs’ Qdoba restaurants. He also has plans to open new stores around the city in the next few years.

“Otherwise, it will be business as usual with the same operating hours, team members and great food!” he said of the current Springs locations.

B Wild Investment’s recent acquisition builds on an agreement it announced in September to develop 50 Qdoba restaurants in cities throughout Colorado, Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

Dubin has years of experience leading multi-unit growth and operations. He co-founded KBP Brands LLC in 2011 and, from 2011 to 2024, led all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, according to the B Wild Investments website. During that time, KBP acquired more than 1,000 restaurants in transactions with KFC, Taco Bell, Arby’s and Sonic. Dubin resigned his executive role with KBP last year to establish B Wild Investments.

Dubin is also the executive chairman of US Laundry LLC, the largest Tide Laundromat franchisee in the nation.

Qdoba’s Chief Development Officer Jeremy Vitaro said in the Oct. 15 release that the international brand was “thrilled” to have Dubin on board to help advance its growth. Qdoba is experiencing rapid expansion, with nearly 600 restaurants planned for development as it tries to double its footprint by 2032.

Qdoba has more than 820 locations throughout 45 states as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea.

“As one of the fastest-growing brands in the space, Qdoba continues to attract some of the best operators from (quick service restaurants) and casual dining, and Barry is no exception,” Vitaro said in the release. “Since joining the Qdoba family earlier this year, he’s already proven to be a stellar operator. We can’t wait to see what he does with these restaurants and the 50 more to come.”

Qdoba serves up fast-casual Mexican fare, including burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, bowls and salads, and sides like chips and queso.

Qdoba traces its origins to the 1995 opening of Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill in Denver, founded by Anthony Miller and Robert Hauser. The brand changed its name several times due to various legal challenges before it was renamed Qdoba in 1999.