Houston-based fajita concept plans JoCo, Brookside locations for mostly carryout

Even as most restaurants struggle during the pandemic, Houston-based Fajita Pete’s plans to triple in locations by focusing on pick-up, delivery and catering — out of small spaces with limited seating..

The Kansas City metro will be its first expansion outside of Texas.

The menu includes beef, chicken, veggie, shrimp or mixed fajitas, margaritas to-go, sides such as guacamole and chips and handmade tortillas, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, fajita salads, tacos, flautas, sopapillas and tres leches.

It was founded as a full-service Mexican restaurant in 2002 under a different name. But the owner soon realized a large portion of his orders were from pick-up and catering. He closed the dine-in restaurant in 2008 and launched Fajita Pete’s.

It started franchising in 2015 and currently has 16 locations in Texas, with four more opening this year. It said more than 30 are in the works for Texas and Kansas City, its first market outside of Texas.

The locations are about 1,200-to-1,500 square feet and have two or three tables for dining in.

A local franchisee is in negotiations for an Overland Park location that would open this year. Locations in Brookside and Shawnee are scheduled to open within the next three years.

This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 5:55 PM.