WaBa Grill franchisees plan to open dozens of new locations between Sacramento and Bakersfield in the coming years. Image via WaBa Grill

Southern California-based WaBa Grill recently announced plans to open 20 new locations from Fresno to Sacramento starting next year — as well as an additional 13 locations between Fresno and Bakersfield.

The restaurant, known for its healthy alternative bowls and salads, opened in 2006 and has quickly grown to 191 locations throughout Southern California and Arizona.

“We’ve proven ourselves in the Southern California market,” said Steven Wang, director of real estate development and construction for WaBa Grill. “The natural course of expansion is to move up north and really introduce WaBa grill to the rest of California.”

Since acquiring exclusive territory rights, WaBa Grill franchisees Gurpreet and Navreet Bopari plan to bring at least 20 new locations to 16 California counties.

The Boparis currently own and operate three WaBa Grill locations in Ventura County.

“Since we first started our franchise partnership with WaBa Grill in 2014, we have seen communities rally enthusiastically behind this brand and its quality products, commitment to a menu that serves every dietary preference and superior guest experience,” said Navreet. 

Wang believes the market in the Central Valley will be welcoming of what WaBa has to offer, acknowledging the differences in cultures between Northern, Southern and Central California, while believing that the unique style and fast, flexible services will attract customers.

No store locations have been announced.

As opposed to many popular quick service restaurants, Wang said WaBa’s menu simplicity makes things easy on customers and employees alike, offering rice bowls with protein options of chicken, steak, salmon and shrimp, as well as meatless options including Plantspired steak, tofu and salad entrees.

WaBa’s menu also offers side options including dumplings, wontons and several other side dishes.

“For WaBa Grill, it’s very simple,” Wang said. “The only thing that really changes is the protein.”

According to him, more than a quarter of WaBa’s business is conducted via third-party deliveries.

“It’s not like in the past where a lot of people come in and sit down to eat,” Wang said. “There’s a lot of on-the-go or delivery that’s playing a big part of the market right now.”

He did not mention whether any of the anticipated locations in the Valley would have drive-thru options, but did include that WaBa does offer drive-thrus at some of its Southern California locations.

Fresno can expect to see the first WaBa location in either the late second or early third quarter of 2023, with more to follow.

In addition to the locations inked for the Northern California deal, WaBa also recently signed an agreement to open 13 additional stores from Fresno to Bakersfield.

“Northern California is in need of a healthy rice bowl chain,” Navreet said. “WaBa Grill’s fast and nutritious meals fuel our pride in growing our restaurant network in a part of the state that we believe will welcome the brand with the same passion we’ve witnessed in Ventura County.”

The fast-growing restaurant chain also has further expansion opportunities in mind, with a recently inked a ten-store deal in Maricopa County, AZ, a ten-store deal in Dallas and an additional eight-store deal in Clark County, NV.