Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Plans New Locations in South Florida

If you love Lime Fresh Mexican Grill's "figure-friendly" South Beach burrito, "low-carb" tacos, and "lite" quesadillas, there's good news: More restaurants are coming our way.

The Miami Beach-born fast-casual concept serving fresh Mexican fare recently announced plans to expand the brand across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Two existing franchise groups will each be developing three to five restaurants in their respective markets, meaning the tricounty region could see as many as 10 new Lime Fresh locations pop up over the next five years.

The new growth plan is due, in part, to Ruby Tuesday's recent sale of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill to Fort Lauderdale-based EverFresh Endeavors, which hopes to expand the brand across the U.S. and abroad.

The Lime Fresh concept was launched in 2004 by John Kunkle, who opened his first restaurant off Alton Road in South Beach. Kunkle built the business one franchise at a time, growing to 16 stores stretching from South Beach to Washington, D.C., in just a few short years.
Today, the menu remains true to its original tenets: a compilation of health-conscious menu items that range from homemade salsa and sauces, several types of guacamole, and soups and salads to burritos, tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas. Much of the menu offers "healthy" choices for those counting calories, dishes prepared using organic, fat-free refried beans and a choice of low-carb or whole wheat tortillas.

According to Grant Gussin, an owner-operator of four Lime Fresh restaurants in downtown Dadeland, Kendall, Doral, and Miami, the Lime Fresh brand is all about South Florida.

"The Lime Fresh brand truly resonates with the residents and visitors of South Florida," said Gussin, president of Left Field Holdings. "We see great opportunity for the Lime Fresh brand and look forward to opening the doors to more locations in South Florida over the next five years."

Franchise owners Nick Boros and David Pettit, the men behind Salsa Management Inc., are looking forward to adding additional locations in both Broward and Palm Beach. Together, they own and operate three Lime Fresh restaurants — at the Shops at Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines, the Fountains in Plantation, and the newly opened Shadowood Square restaurant in west Boca Raton.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is located in Broward at 801 S. University Drive, Plantation; 601 SW 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines; and  20642 State Road 7, Boca Raton. Visit limefreshmexicangrill.com.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.