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Mendocino Farms

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Mendocino Farms
FormerlyMendocino Farms Sandwich Market
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryFood and Beverage
Founded2005; 19 years ago (2005) in Los Angeles, California[1]
Founders
  • Mario Del Pero
  • Ellen Chen-Del Pero
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States[2]
Number of locations
54 (11 upcoming) (2023)
Area served
Key people
  • Harald Herrmann (CEO) (2017–present)
BrandsBlue Cow Kitchen[3]
Revenue$1.6 million[4] (2006)
OwnerTPG Inc.
Websitewww.mendocinofarms.com

Mendocino Farms, colloquially shortened to Mendo, and formerly Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market,[5] is a fast casual restaurant chain based in the Western United States mainly selling sandwiches and salads. The company uses earth-grown and nonmodified ingredients, sourcing them locally.[1][4] Private equity firm TPG Inc. holds a majority stake in the company.

The restaurants themselves are mainly designed by John Kim, who uses eco-friendly materials to create a country aesthetic.[6]

History

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The first restaurant was opened in 2005, by the couple Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen-Del Pero.[7] Del Pero grew up in Mendocino County, where his father owned a century-old meat company. After graduating from USC, he decided to start his own food concept. After interviewing people in the industry, Del Pero started working at Sharkeez in Newport Beach, California, which was founded by his best friend's father. In 1998, he then opened Skew's, a teriyaki restaurant. After growing it to three locations, Del Pero and his wife sold it in 2001 and used the assets to create Mendocino Farms. The first location was in an unpopular 900 square feet (84 m2)[2] area below the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Starbucks, the previous owner of the property, had bailed the location.[4]

In 2010, the company made a deal with the firm L Catterton to help with expansion. It then became an important investor.[8][4] Whole Foods Market made a minor investment in the restaurant as well, and the first Mendocino Farms inside a Whole Foods opened in 2016, although Chen-Del Pero stated that they were strategically choosing locations.[9][2][10] TPG Inc. bought a majority stake in the chain from Catterton in 2017. The former CEO of Yard House, Harald Herrmann, was appointed as CEO after the exchange.[11]

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A Chicken Parm Dip

Mendocino Farms constantly changes its menu every six to eight weeks,[5] but popular items include:[1]

A kid's menu is also offered.

Locations

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In California, the chain mainly centers around the population centers of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco.

As of 2024, its locations in Texas are found in Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and Washington eateries are only in Seattle.[1]

Reception

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The company was included in Nation's Restaurant News' 2013 50 Hottest Emerging Concepts.[12] The founders, Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen-Del Pero were also featured in the website's Power List 2016.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Official website". Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kneiszel, Judy (August 16, 2016). "Why Mendocino Farms is One to Watch". QSR Magazine. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  3. ^ Odell, Kat (November 15, 2011). "Mario Del Pero of Mendocino Farms To Open Blue Cow Feb 1 With Stellar BOH Lineup". Eater. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Luna, Nancy (April 3, 2014). "Entree classics as sandwiches? Mendocino Farms bringing hipster L.A. food, vibe to O.C." The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Billing, Karen (January 25, 2022). "Mendocino Farms reveals new look, branding". Del Mar Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Odell, Kat (November 3, 2011). "Mendocino Farms in West Hollywood is Now Open". Eater. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "Mendocino Farms to Bring Signature Bold, Fresh Flavors to Seattle". PR Newswire. September 20, 2022. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Odell, Kat (June 6, 2012). "Bringing Home the Bacon". Eater. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  9. ^ Jennings, Lisa (October 12, 2015). "Mendocino Farms receives investment from Whole Foods Market". Nation's Restaurant News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  10. ^ Peterson, Hayley (August 24, 2016). "There's an obvious gap in the sandwich market — and this Whole Foods-backed restaurant wants to close it". Business Insider. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Anderson, Caroline (November 13, 2017). "TPG Capital Acquires Fast Casual Chain Mendocino Farms". Los Angeles Business Journal. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Jennings, Lisa (January 28, 2013). "Breakout Brands: Mendocino Farms". Nation's Restaurant News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  13. ^ Berta, Dina (January 19, 2016). "The Power List 2016: Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen". Nation's Restaurant News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
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