Pancheros opens in ‘booming’ part of Bettendorf

A busy section of Bettendorf just got busier with a new fast-food restaurant opening its doors. Pancheros Mexican Grill, the Iowa-based restaurant specializing in Mexican food, has opened its 27th location in the state in The Plex area of Bettendorf at 5273 Competition Drive. “This is just a booming area to be in,” Dan Sacco, […]

A busy section of Bettendorf just got busier with a new fast-food restaurant opening its doors. Pancheros Mexican Grill, the Iowa-based restaurant specializing in Mexican food, has opened its 27th location in the state in The Plex area of Bettendorf at 5273 Competition Drive.

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“This is just a booming area to be in,” Dan Sacco, one of the new restaurant’s owners, said before a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning, Oct 15. The ceremony attracted about 25 people – many of them Pancheros employees. It also drew City of Bettendorf officials including Mayor Bob Gallagher and Alderman Scott Naumann and Alderwoman Lisa Brown. “The Bett Plex area is booming with new business and residential developments, so bringing the Pancheros concept we’ve mastered over 20 years to locals and visitors of Bettendorf made perfect sense for our team,” Doug Ormsby, one of the Pancheros’ owners, said in a news release ahead of the opening.  “We saw an ideal opportunity on the right side of Middle Road and wanted this Iowa-staple to be a part of the area’s growth.” The Bettendorf restaurant spans about 2,400 square feet and features a second make-line – a key element integrated into many Pancheros restaurants nationwide. Pancheros offers Burritos Better Built by incorporating fresh-pressed tortillas, homemade queso and high-quality ingredients mixed using BOB the Tool. It’s a signature brand device designed to create equally balanced bites. The brand also offers bowls, tacos, vegetarian and vegan options and more. 

Vast, varying options

“I think the continued growth in the residential and commercial sectors in Bettendorf as well as the terrific expansion in tourism at the TBK Bank Sports Complex, has created a need for restaurants of all sizes and dining choices,” Mr. Gallagher told the QCBJ. “We are pleased to see so many restaurateurs bringing vast and varying options to our community.”  The new restaurant has about 23 employees and is looking for more workers. (Go here to learn about job openings.) During the opening ceremony several customers were already walking in the doors to get their favorite Mexican food items including burritos, tacos, quesadillas and more. The numerous food options also are the subject of many of the signs that decorate the new business. Some of them include: “Burritos with Benefits,” “Making the world better one bite at a time” and “Burritos Better Built.” The new Pancheros has opened in a section of northern Bettendorf where dozens of other businesses have opened around the TBK Bank Sports Complex. Some new or in-the-works businesses include: a new $18 million SpringHill Suites by Marriott now under construction; Iron Tee Golf; and ORA, which is building a new $50 million state-of-the-art clinic and outpatient surgery center. A second sports building also is under construction. The 112,000-square-foot building will cost about $13 million and is being built next to Iron Tee. Founded in Iowa City in 1992, Pancheros is a fan favorite in the Mexican, fast-casual space. Pancheros has grown to more than 75 locations across 13 states – including Quad Cities locations in Davenport and Moline – with a robust franchising program.