| Pancheros Franchise Corporation | |
| Trade Name: | Pancheros Mexican Grill |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | [1] |
| Founder: | Rodney Anderson |
| Location: | Coralville, Iowa, U.S. |
| Key People: | Rodney Anderson (President) |
| Locations: | 73 |
| Area Served: | United States |
| Industry: | Restaurants |
| Homepage: | pancheros.com |
Pancheros Mexican Grill is a chain of fast casual Tex Mex restaurants in the United States serving Mexican-style cuisine. The chain was founded in 1992 by Rodney Anderson when he opened two units: one in Iowa City, Iowa (near the University of Iowa campus), and one in East Lansing, Michigan (near the Michigan State University campus).[2] [3] As of 2023, there are 73 units throughout the country.[4] Pancheros is known for making their tortillas 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 the University of Chicago, opened the first Pancheros with capital made from the stock market. The first store was opened in Iowa City, next to the University of Iowa campus, while the second location opened the same year in East Lansing, Michigan, near the Michigan State University campus. 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. In 2003 its first non-corporate store opened. Their mascot, Bob the Tool, was first introduced in restaurants in April 2007.[7]