As consumers continue to focus on clean eating habits Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill continues to gain popularity throughout the country. The fresh Mexican Grill concept is responding to this increased demand for healthy quick service cuisine with franchise expansion into new states including Florida.

As part of Costa Vida’s national growth initiative, entrepreneurs Sam Haddock, Bob Harris and Will Robinson are excited to bring the Costa Vida Fresh Mexican concept to the state for the first time. With plans to open the first Costa Vida in early 2016 the partners are confident the concept will be well received in the area. Under the multi-unit agreement recently signed the group will add 10 new locations to the rapidly growing Brand by 2020.

“The quality and taste of the food that Costa Vida offers to consumers is rare if not unmatched in fast casual segment of the industry,” said Haddock, a veteran of the restaurant industry. “With a focus on freshness, along with the coastal feel that the brand embodies, we are confident that the residents of Gainesville, Sarasota and Tampa will be incredibly impressed with everything Costa Vida has to offer.”

The recent multi-unit agreement to the 68-unit franchise system will make Florida home to 10 Costa Vida locations by 2020. Currently, the southeast region of the US hosts one location in Atlanta, part of an 8-unit agreement for the market.

Like many Costa Vida franchisees, Haddock, Harris and Robinson were first drawn to invest in the Costa Vida opportunity after they fell in love with the high quality, freshness and uniqueness of the food. After thoroughly researching the concept, they came to the conclusion that the brand would be a perfect fit for the Florida markets.

Haddock has been a part of the restaurant industry for over 40 years. He has experience as both a franchisee and a franchisor, owning and operating restaurants such as Donatos Pizza, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Rally’s Hamburgers and Wendy’s Hamburgers, and serving as Director of Operations for Rally’s Hamburgers, COO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen and COO at Winnter’s international, part of the RTM Restaurant Group. Most recently, Haddock was a Managing Partner and President at J. Christopher’s Restaurants, LLC.

Harris owned and operated Premier Healthcare Solutions, a company that provided home therapy in Georgia and Texas from 1989 until 2011.

Robinson has spent time working in the treasury department and as a corporate accountant for RTM Restaurant Group. Most recently, he has been practicing as a certified public accountant.

“As consumer behavior continues to shift towards clean eating habits and having the ability to customize your order based on personal preference or dietary restrictions, the appeal and popularity of Costa Vida continues to grow with both consumers and investors,” said Sean Collins, CEO of Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill. “We knew from the start that bringing Sam, Bob and Will on as franchisees would positively benefit the company. With their combined years of experience in the restaurant industry, we are excited to see the ways in which they develop the concept in the Florida markets.”

Growing through multi-unit agreements, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill is planning continued expansion in Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Vancouver, Boise, the Twin Cities, Sacramento, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando, & Washington DC. Projected to open 25 new locations throughout new and existing markets in 2015, Costa Vida is already on track to continued steady growth with additional recent agreements in Tucson, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver, Sacramento, and Vancouver. Expanding in key high-growth markets, Costa Vida’s development strategy is largely focused on Unit Level Economics.