In 2000, Downing Barber utilized both his master’s degree in international business and his skills as a trained chef to open the first Barberitos restaurant in downtown Athens, Ga. Today, Barberitos has grown to become an award-winning, fast-casual Southwestern Grille and Cantina with 50 locations across seven Southeastern states.
Dedicated to serving farm-fresh, high-quality food, the brand will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 20 with a small 20-cent cheese dip for customers at participating stores. This date also commemorates the first-ever National Burrito Bowl Day in recognition of Barberitos.
While Barberitos continues its steady momentum of growth by adding new locations and introducing new menu items, many of its procedures and values have remained the same during its 20-year history. For example, menu items are still prepared and cooked in-house daily including hand-smashed guacamole, home-made salsas, fresh-cut vegetables, rice and beans, as well as chicken, steak, turkey, pulled pork and tofu.
“Barberitos has remained true to our mission of serving ‘fresh, fast and delicious’ food since we opened our first restaurant in 2000,” said Barber.
As part of the year-long celebrations, there is a national promotion with ESPN broadcaster and former NFL player David Pollack. The promotion invites fans to take a selfie with a Pollack standee inside all Barberitos locations to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Athens to meet Pollack, along with free Barberitos food for a year.
For more information about Barberitos, the company’s food, health information, locations, franchise opportunities and its commitment to people and community, please visit www.barberitos.com.