The Quesadilla Gorilla in San Luis Obispo opened in 2022, the first store located outside of the Central Valley. Photo contributed

After several months of back-and-forth correspondence with the State of California, Quesadilla Gorilla was granted approval for franchising in the state, giving the green light to the franchise’s goal of opening 12 California restaurants by the end of the year.

Quesadilla Gorilla first opened in Visalia in 2013 and has since operated stores in Fresno, Hanford and San Luis Obispo, as well as a food truck in Three Rivers (which recently closed to be replaced by a storefront location later this year), and plans to open a Tulare store by year’s end.

Approval for franchising was step one for the local company’s lofty goals of opening 12 California stores by the end of 2023, an additional 18 stores in 2024 and up to 22 stores in the following years.

Miguel Reyes, CEO and owner, said the approval, which has been in the works since September, included several back-and-forth interactions between the company and the state. California is one of 13 states that require paperwork to be submitted to the state prior to franchising approval, according to Reyes.

“We’ve kind of been at a standstill in California,” he said. “A majority of our leads are in California; we couldn’t legally talk to them until now.”

Reyes, who is also currently targeting potential store locations in Arizona and Idaho said that the focus this year will now primarily be on finding California franchisees interested in operating a restaurant.

“Most of the brand recognition and touch point has been in California,” he said. “We’re talking to people in Southern California right now.”

Reyes said the company currently has leads in San Diego and hopes to extend its Central Coast footprint soon as well, adding to its San Luis location which opened last year thanks largely to its participation in the Small Business Bonds Marketplace (SMBX) fundraising which saw nearly $400,000 raised from community investments.

Reyes said he hopes to find franchisees that are hands-on leaders, emphasizing the importance of the company’s principles and team-focused business approach. Store staffing numbers will vary based on location, as he said Quesadilla Gorilla will sport several different restaurant design styles.

“We have a few different models that we’re offering,” Reyes said, adding that some locations may even implement alcohol options including tequila bars. “If we have a bar that has a liquor license it’s going to be a little more on the bartender side.”

Prospective franchisees can apply through the Quesadilla Gorilla website.