Doherty Enterprises, Inc. Announces Exclusive Development Agreement with QDOBA Mexican Eats® Across Key Markets in NY and NJ

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation’s leading multi-brand restaurant franchisees, today announced that it has entered into a landmark development agreement with QDOBA Mexican Eats®, America’s rapidly-growing, #2 Mexican fast-casual restaurant brand. Under the new partnership, Doherty will serve as QDOBA’s exclusive development partner in select New York counties (spanning the mid-Hudson Valley through the Capital Region) as well as in New Jersey – with the rights to develop 27 new QDOBA locations over the next several years.

The agreement represents a major strategic expansion for Doherty Enterprises, whose portfolio includes 158 restaurants across Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Chevys Fresh Mex, JINYA Ramen Bars, and several proprietary concepts. The move positions the company for continued long-term growth in the high-demand, fast-casual category and further strengthens its regional footprint. QDOBA represents the 8th brand in Doherty’s diverse portfolio.

“We are thrilled to welcome QDOBA restaurants into the Doherty Enterprises family,” said Timothy Doherty, President and COO, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. “QDOBA is an exceptional brand with impressive momentum, strong unit economics, and a menu that truly resonates with today’s guests. This partnership reflects our disciplined approach to growth, aligning with best-in-class brands that complement our portfolio, and which allow us to serve our communities in new and meaningful ways.”

QDOBA selected Doherty Enterprises as one of its lead development partners based on the company’s decades-long track record of successfully scaling national restaurant brands, operational excellence, and deep experience operating in the NY/NJ market. The fast-casual Mexican category continues to outpace broader restaurant-sector growth, driven by shifting consumer preferences, menu customization, and digital convenience, making QDOBA an attractive and strategic addition to Doherty’s portfolio.

“We’re excited to work together with Doherty Enterprises to bring QDOBA’s craveable, customizable Mexican fast-casual experience to more communities across New York and New Jersey,” said Jeremy Vitaro, Chief Development Officer, QDOBA Mexican Eats. “Their local market knowledge and focus on guest experience make them a natural fit as we continue to expand our footprint.”

The QDOBA partnership comes during a period of significant expansion for Doherty Enterprises. In the year ahead, the company will open new Wendy’s, Panera Bread, Applebee’s, and JINYA Ramen Bar locations, while also completing more than 15 Applebee’s remodels across New York and New Jersey.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for our entire organization,” said Doherty. “Our teams across development, legal, finance, operations, and strategy worked tirelessly on this opportunity, and their dedication continues to fuel our momentum. Our success has always been rooted in our people, and this next chapter with QDOBA is a testament to their hard work.”

For more information about Doherty Enterprises, career opportunities, and its growing family of brands, visit www.dohertyinc.com.

About QDOBA Mexican Eats 
QDOBA is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with 830 locations in 45 states across the U.S., as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea. Committed to bringing flavor to people’s lives, QDOBA prepares fresh ingredients by hand in-house throughout the day and flame-grills its chicken and steak to create a variety of bold, flavorful menu options. Guests can experience QDOBA’s delicious offerings by customizing their own burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads to suit their personal tastes and cravings. Premium toppings can always be added to entrées at no extra charge, including signature 3-cheese queso and hand-crafted guacamole.

For seven consecutive years, QDOBA has ranked among the top fast-casual restaurants in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – including six years at #1. QDOBA was also recently named one of Yelp’s Most Loved Airport Brands, a distinction based on extensive analysis of ratings and reviews from travelers.

Discover more at QDOBA.com or on the QDOBA app, which is available for download on the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Fans can also connect with QDOBA on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.

Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates 158 restaurants in New Jersey, New York, including seven restaurant concepts: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Jinya Ramen Bar, Chevys Fresh Mex and its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In addition, Doherty Enterprises is also a franchisee of Sola Salon Studios with 12 locations in Staten Island and New Jersey.  

Doherty Enterprises is ranked 27th Largest Franchisee in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is recognized as the 80th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States by Nation’s Restaurant News, the 67th largest privately held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, and 26th in NJ’s Top 250 privately held companies & 5th Largest Family-Owned Business Based on Employees in New Jersey by NJBIZ.  

The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” Doherty Enterprises has also been lending a helping hand to team members and their immediate families when financially burdened through the WOW a Friend Foundation. To date, the foundation has assisted more than 4,200 people and donated over $5.7 million directly back to those in need.  (www.DohertyInc.com).