The city issued a permit Dec. 12 for Adkins Construction LLC to builld-out the area’s first franchise for Bubbakoo’s Burritos in Baymeadows Village.
Owner Shashi Patel expects to open it March 1.
Adkins will renovate the 1,886-square-foot space for Bubbakoo’s at 9810 Baymeadows Road, No. 10, at a cost of $291,836.
Gregory Ralph Architect of Bound Brook, New Jersey, is the architect.
The city issued a permit Aug. 12 for Heritage Signs Inc. to put up the name at a cost of $7,001.
Spouses Shashi and Swity Patel invested in the franchise as a family decision.
“This is my first business to try for myself and my family,” Shashi Patel, a physical therapist, said Aug. 3.
He said Dec. 13 it will seat 36 and they intend to hire 20-25 people. Hiring starts the first week of February, and Patel said applicants can send resumes to [email protected].
The Patels have been living in Jacksonville about four years, and Swity Patel has more than seven years of experience working as a manager with Subway.
They have a 1-year-old daughter, Aadhya.
Swity Patel will be the day-to-day operator of Bubbakoo’s, while Shashi Patel and his father will help.
Shashi Patel said his cousin owns locations in the Northeast and has provided guidance.
“We were looking for a fast-food casual restaurant for about two years, and we found Bubbakoo’s,” he said.
“They have a very unique concept, fresh ingredients and a variety of food options.”
Bubbakoos.com calls the concept a “hybrid skater-surf atmosphere.”
It has almost 100 restaurants, and another 12 coming soon, in 19 states.
The 14 listed in Florida include three coming soon in Jacksonville, Miramar and Stuart. The closest open is in Melbourne.
It says the Jacksonville location will operate 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Bubbakoo’s opened in 2008 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. It is based in Wall, New Jersey.
“Our Mexican inspired food and customer services will make you want to come back for more when you visit Bubbakoo’s in Jacksonville,” says bubbakoos.com.
“Our premier menu offers fresh and delicious burritos, tacos, quesadillas, taco salad, and our famous Chiwawa. Don’t forget to check out our Signature menu!”
Bubbakoo’s Director of Marketing Ben Grannick said Aug. 6 that development in the Jacksonville area is part of the brand’s overall growth strategy to open 25 locations in the Southeast market.
“Jacksonville’s market is primed for more growth and consumers are increasingly ditching traditional fast-food options in favor of better-for-you alternatives,” he said.
“Bubbakoo’s Burritos offers an experience like no other fast casual restaurant,” he said by email.
He said Bubbakoo’s offers more than eight “Signature Creations.”
Grannick said outside those creations, “every meal is 100% customizable from the protein, beans, rice, toppings, and signature flavors.”
Signature burritos include Nashville hot chicken and hibachi steak and shrimp.
Other signature creations include quesadillas, chiwawas, tacos and taco salad.
Grannick described a chiwawa as “an oversized rice ball, the size of a softball.”
Bubbakoo’s offers build-your-own entrees and also sells starters, desserts and student and kids’ meals.
“There’s nothing like our food and skate-surf vibe in the country,” Grannick said.
He said the Bubbakoo’s name came from one of its founders, Paul Altero.
“It was Paul’s nickname in college while he attended the University of Delaware. He used the name Bubbakoo’s for a mock business plan in college,” he said.
Grannick said Bubbakoo’s did not have a set number of restaurants planned in Northeast Florida, but looked forward to “large growth in the area.”
Shashi Patel said he hopes for more locations.
Bubbakoos.com says a franchise is $35,000. A typical location is 2,000 square feet and works best in strip centers, shopping malls, pads and nontraditional locations.
