 | |
 Pancheros inWaterloo, Iowa | |
| Pancheros Mexican Grill | |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | August 14, 1992; 33 years ago (1992-08-14)[1] inIowa City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Founder | Rodney Anderson |
| Headquarters | Coralville,Iowa, U.S. |
Number of locations | 73 |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Rodney Anderson(President) |
| Website | pancheros |
Pancheros Mexican Grill is a chain offast casualTex Mexrestaurants in theUnited States servingMexican-style cuisine. The chain was founded in 1992 by Rodney Anderson when he opened two units: one inIowa City, Iowa (near theUniversity of Iowa campus), and one inEast Lansing, Michigan (near theMichigan State University campus).[2][3] As of 2023, there are 73 units throughout the country.[4] Pancheros is known for making theirtortillas on site, at the time the order is placed.[5] In 2006,Sports Illustrated voted Pancheros the most popular place to eat when bars in Iowa City close.[6]
In 1992, Anderson, after just receiving his MBA from theUniversity of Chicago, opened the first Pancheros with capital made from the stock market. The first store was opened in Iowa City, next to theUniversity of Iowa campus,[2] while the second location opened the same year inEast Lansing,Michigan, near theMichigan State University campus.[3] The next 9 locations opened in similar midwestern college towns. It wasn't until 1998 that Pancheros was revamped to include the addition of a dough press for the famous fresh-pressed tortillas, and an updated, more upscale restaurant decor.[2] In 2003 its first non-corporate store opened. Their mascot, Bob the Tool, was first introduced in restaurants in April 2007.[7]
