Franchising
Photo: Moe’s
July 28, 2025
GoTo Foods is opening Moe’s Casa Mexicana — a concept derived from Moe’s Southwest Grill in India, thanks to a 45-unit master franchise agreement with Unify Foodworks.
“Launching Moe’s Casa Mexicana marks a defining moment for GoTo Foods as we expand another iconic brand onto the global stage,” Jim Holthouser, CEO of GoTo Foods, said in a company press release. “Our platform company model has already powered successful international growth for brands like Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s, and now we’re applying that same proven approach to Moe’s Southwest Grill.”
The move marks the first international concept specifically built for the Moe’s Southwest Grill brand. GoTo Foods, a global platform company with seven foodservice brands, said the launch underscores its ability to scale brands globally as 60% of its development pipeline is focused outside the U.S.
International demand for fast casual Mexican cuisine
Designed to meet the growing international demand for fast casual Mexican cuisine, Moe’s Casa Mexicana was developed using insights from over 2,000 consumers across six countries, blending Mexican flavors with localized menu adaptations and flexible real estate formats. The Mexican cuisine category is projected to grow by $114 billion by 2026.
The chain’s strategic brand extension is rooted in consumer research that indicated a preference for Mexican-forward offerings over fusion concepts. The menu will feature tacos, burritos and nachos but with localized proteins, toppings and scalable spice levels for markets such as India.
“Moe’s Casa Mexicana represents the next evolution of the international strategy at GoTo Foods, where data-driven consumer insights meet operational precision,” Dave Mikita, president of International and Retail Channels at GoTo Foods, said in the release.
Moe’s offers flexible store formats, including full-scale, in-line, dine-in and kiosk options, with smaller footprints and dedicated international supply chain support.
GoTo Foods, formerly Focus Brands, is based in Atlanta, operates in over 65 countries and territories, with over 2,000 international commitments in its pipeline. It operates over 6,900 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops and bakeries across various brands.
