COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL
Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill franchises operate fast-casual restaurants specializing in the retail sale of fresh Mexican-inspired menu items such as burritos, salads, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, tropical beverages, desserts, and related merchandise, emphasizing a coastal ambience with take-out and dine-in seating. The franchisor grants licenses and franchises for operating under the Costa Vida brand and proprietary system standards, including area development agreements for multi-unit growth. They target general consumers seeking high-quality Mexican fare with the convenience and speed of traditional fast food.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 83 U.S. franchise locations based on monthly profit and loss statements for the entire twelve months of 2024, segmented into Top 20, Middle 43, and Bottom 20 performance tiers.
* Weighted average gross revenue calculated from Table 1 segments: (20 units * $3,214,709 + 43 units * $2,064,961 + 20 units * $1,304,068) / 83 total units = $2,158,661.0. This matches the 'Average Net Sales' in Table 3. Revenue top/bottom quartile are the 'Average Unit Volume' for the Top 20 and Bottom 20 segments, respectively, as these segments represent approximately 24.1% of the total units. Weighted average EBITDAR calculated from Table 1 segments: (20 units * $680,955 + 43 units * $372,814 + 20 units * $103,626) / 83 total units = $382,200.27. EBITDAR margin calculated as average_ebitda / average_gross_revenue = $382,200.27 / $2,158,661.0 = 0.1771. Average net income and average net profit are set to null as they are not explicitly provided and cannot be reliably calculated due to a significant number of missing expenses as noted in the FDD. Best guess profit range is estimated from the average EBITDAR of $382,200.27. EBITDAR is defined as 'Restaurant-level earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent'. Note (10) further identifies 'owners' salaries, debt service, and legal fees' as additional expenses for the franchisee not included in the tables. To estimate a net profit range, these unstated expenses must be considered. For `best_guess_profit_high`, assumed remaining combined expenses (Rent, D&A, Interest, Debt Service, Owners' Salary, Legal Fees) to be an optimistic 8% of Average Unit Volume (AUV) before taxes, which is $172,693 (0.08 * $2,158,661). A 15% tax rate was applied to the remaining profit. Net profit high = ($382,200.27 - $172,693) * (1 - 0.15) = $178,081. For `best_guess_profit_low`, assumed remaining combined expenses to be a conservative 15% of AUV before taxes, which is $323,800 (0.15 * $2,158,661). A 25% tax rate was applied to the remaining profit. Net profit low = ($382,200.27 - $323,800) * (1 - 0.25) = $43,800.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL Current | N/A | $30K | N/A | 47 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchisees (2011 - 2023)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much revenue does a COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise is $2,158,661. The median revenue is $2,016,503.
How much profit can you make with a COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise ranges from $43,800 to $178,081 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL has 47 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2004.
Can you get an SBA loan for a COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchises. Historical data shows 28 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL franchisees, with an average loan amount of $554,586. The historical default rate is 7.1%.
Is COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL a good franchise to buy?
COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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