Cilantro Taco Grill recently opened at 749 W. Milwaukee Avenue along the Village's Restaurant Row in front of the Westin Chicago North Shore hotel. The newest franchisee chose a location in Wheeling for the Village's strategic location and access to residents, visitors, and regional employees of nearby businesses and corporations.
The fast-casual Mexican restaurant, known for its authenticity, is rapidly expanding, with over 100 locations planned in Illinois, Texas, Florida, and California. Their goal is to revolutionize the fast-casual Mexican concept, growing ten-fold globally over the next decade.
Each franchise group has resonated with the brand's mission to uplift Latinos and immigrant communities through franchising, with all groups having immigrant backgrounds themselves. The new agreements highlight the brand's rapid growth and the universal appeal of their mission.
 Temoc Morfin, Founder of Cilantro Taco Grill, expressed his pride in the brand's rapid expansion, stating, "We are incredibly proud of the over 100-unit growth Cilantro Taco Grill has achieved just six months after signing our first deal. What started as a small taqueria in 2013 has now scaled into a thriving brand spreading across the US. This growth is not just a testament to our passion and dedication but also a beacon of hope for other families striving to achieve the American dream. Together, we are creating opportunities and sharing the flavors of our heritage with communities nationwide."
The Village of Wheeling is delighted to be a part of this great story. After all, Wheeling’s origins are closely tied to the hospitality industry, and the arrival of Cilantro Taco Grill represents a major milestone in our 130-year history as a dining destination.
The Village recently awarded Cilantro a $50,000 Wheeling Restaurant, Entertainment, & Retail Build-Out Grant to assist its buildout of this space transforming it from a Dunkin Donuts to a fast-casual restaurant.
Cilantro was recognized as one of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casual Brands in 2024 by QSR Magazine, Cilantro is also making headlines with its franchise launch, supported by Fransmart and Grammy-winning artist Pitbull.