By 1808Delaware
Barrio Burrito Bar, a fast-casual chain known for build-your-own burritos, bowls, tacos, and quesadillas, is preparing to open two additional locations locally, signaling a clear bet on the county’s growth and dining appetite.
The company’s website now lists both sites as “coming soon,” placing new restaurants at 50 Coughlin Lane in the City of Delaware and 131 State Route 3 in Sunbury. While no opening dates have been announced, recent expansion patterns suggest those doors may not be far from opening.
Why Delaware County
Barrio is not new to the area. The chain opened its first Delaware location at 66 Hyatts Road in November 2025. That store operates daily from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM and has quickly established a presence along one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.
Adding two more locations so soon after that debut is not accidental. It reflects a larger pattern seen across Central Ohio, where national and regional chains increasingly view Delaware County as fertile ground for expansion. Rapid residential growth, strong household incomes, and steady commercial development make the area particularly attractive for fast-casual concepts that rely on high daily traffic. Sunbury, in particular, has become a hotspot for new retail and restaurant activity as development along State Route 3 continues to accelerate.
A Brand Built on Customization
Barrio Burrito Bar specializes in a format familiar to many diners: customers build their meals from a wide range of proteins, toppings, and sauces. But the brand has worked to distinguish itself through bold flavors, house-made salsas, and items such as Bang-Bang Shrimp, jalapeño lime shrimp, Coke-marinated steak, and pineapple or corn salsas.
Reviews from Columbus-area locations frequently compare the experience favorably to Chipotle, with customers praising portion sizes, ingredient freshness, and the variety of flavor combinations. Common feedback highlights:
• Fresh salsas and queso
• Generous servings in bowls and tacos
• Friendly, fast service and a lively atmosphere
• Popular happy hour specials near Ohio State University
There are occasional critiques, including comments about overly salty items or inconsistent preparation during busy periods, but overall ratings across platforms trend positive, typically in the 4.0-star range or higher.
From Canada to Central Ohio
The company’s roots trace back to Toronto in 2005, when founder Alex Shtein launched the concept as barBURRITO Fresh Mexican Grill. The brand expanded aggressively across Canada and entered the U.S. market in 2020 as BURRITOBAR before rebranding in 2024 to Barrio Burrito Bar.
Today, the company operates more than 375 Canadian locations and a growing number of U.S. sites. Expansion in Ohio during 2025 has been particularly rapid, driven by master franchisees pursuing multi-location development. Industry reports point to commitments for hundreds of additional franchised units nationwide over the coming years. The franchise model is structured for quick-service growth, with a $25,000 initial franchise fee and total investment ranging from roughly $423,000 to $774,000. Royalties run at 6 percent with an additional 1.5 percent for advertising, part of a system designed to scale quickly in high-growth markets.
That approach aligns neatly with what is happening in Delaware County right now.
Image by platinumproperties1 from Pixabay
