On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina logo

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2024
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What Is On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a full-service, casual dining franchise focused on Mexican and Tex‑Mex menu options. The concept centers on table-service dine-in restaurants, and franchisees may also offer catering, delivery, and other off‑premises services. Significant revenue streams include the sale of alcoholic beverages and off‑premises catering and delivery, and restaurants typically operate as free‑standing or in-line locations in metropolitan areas and surrounding suburbs near office buildings, shopping malls, shopping centers, and community hubs.

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor’s standout strength is its onboarding—a perfect 100 training-and-support score and 320 hours of initial training, well above industry norms and preparing operators thoroughly; the main risk is a heavy corporate footprint of 109 company-owned units, which could constrain franchise growth and resale value.

Pros

A training-and-support score of 100 combined with 320 hours of initial training is well above typical for the sector, showing the franchisor invests heavily in onboarding and prepares operators to run the business effectively.
A $105,000 estimated startup minimum is well below typical for Food & Beverage, lowering the capital barrier to entry and leaving you with more cash on hand for build-out and early operating expenses.
Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisee-initiated judgments/settlements, and zero government penalties are all well below typical for the sector, indicating a clean legal record and fewer legal or regulatory frictions for franchisees.

Cons

109 company-owned units is well above typical for Food & Beverage; a very large corporate-owned footprint can mean the franchisor favors corporate expansion over franchising, which may limit franchise growth opportunities and long-term resale value.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100
Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

48/100
NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units; the franchisor retains rights to sell via e-commerce and retail channels, use alternative trademarks and venues, acquire or convert franchise units, develop nearby units (no ROFR), and condition protection on performance contingencies.

Training & Support

100
Excellent

The brand provides a comprehensive 320-hour training curriculum designed to prepare six initial trainees included in the initial fee for managerial and operational launch roles. The program includes on-site launch support focused on operational readiness; on-site assistance carries an additional cost and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Franchise?

Opening an On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise requires a total initial investment of $105,000 to $260,000, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$105,000
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$260,000
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000
Real Estate$0
Equipment & Assets$0
Reserves$0
Training$0
Other$75,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000
Real Estate$0
Equipment & Assets$0
Reserves$0
Training$0
Other$230,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Franchise Owners Make?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,536,791 and median gross sales of $2,307,242 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:
$2,536,791
Median Gross Sales:
$2,307,242
High Gross Sales:
$3,761,708
Low Gross Sales:
$1,390,361
Sample Size:
7
Percent Attaining Average:
42.857142857142854%
Franchise vs Corporate Performance: The 2023 franchised reporters had a higher average gross sales (2,536,791) than OTB-owned locations (2,322,207) for the same year, but the franchised figure is based on only seven reporting restaurants compared with 109 company-owned outlets.
Performance Variability Analysis: Franchised reporting in 2023 shows substantial spread (low 1,390,361 to high 3,761,708) and only about 42.86% of the small sample met or exceeded the mean, indicating notable variability within the limited sample.
Data Scope and Limitations: Franchisee data are limited to gross sales (no cost or profit details) and were not audited, and non-traditional franchise totals are reported separately, which limits comparability and the strength of conclusions drawn from the small franchise sample.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open an On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise?

The total initial investment for an On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise ranges from $105,000 to $260,000, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is $30,000, as stated in the 2024 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise owners make?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,536,791 and median gross sales of $2,307,242 in 2024, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2024 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina offer exclusive franchise territories?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina received a territory protection score of 48 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units; the franchisor retains rights to sell via e-commerce and retail channels, use alternative trademarks and venues, acquire or convert franchise units, develop nearby units (no ROFR), and condition protection on performance contingencies.

What training does On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina provide to new franchisees?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. The brand provides a comprehensive 320-hour training curriculum designed to prepare six initial trainees included in the initial fee for managerial and operational launch roles.

How many On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise locations are there?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina had 134 total locations as of the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina?

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a full-service, casual dining franchise focused on Mexican and Tex‑Mex menu options.

Report generated on March 30, 2026 at 03:14 PM

This report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice.

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