Chili Shack
Audio By Carbonatix
Denver has been the birthplace of many well-known chains, from Chipotle to Quiznos. Now, one growing brand is bringing Colorado’s beloved green chile to other states, starting with Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2020, Abraham Olivas made a long-time dream come true when he opened the first Chili Shack location in Lakewood, using the profits from his successful landscaping company. Raised by a professional chef father, he developed a lifelong passion for cooking, and Chili Shack is an ode to his Mexican roots and the joy of sharing food with others.
Over the last five years, Olivas has expanded the brand, adding locations in Federal Heights as well as on East Colfax and Broadway. In April, Chili Shack debuted a downtown outpost in the former Biker Jim’s location on Larimer Street near Coors Field, and soon, it will add a sixth Colorado store in Brighton.
But on October 25, it will celebrate the grand opening of its first location out of state. The Las Vegas Chili Shack will be located at 707 East Carson Avenue, just a short distance from the Fremont Street Experience. The expansion marks the beginning of a new era for the company as it’s also launching franchise opportunities, with plans to open as many as 100 new locations across the country in the next several years, starting with a focus on other parts of Colorado, as well as Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico.
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Chili Shack
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce the Chili Shack franchise opportunity and expand our footprint beyond our home state of Colorado,” Olivas says in a press release announcing the news. “Anchored by the quality, value, authentic menu offerings, and overall guest experience that has defined us to this point, we’re perfectly positioned to differentiate ourselves in the thriving Mexican dining segment and look to the future with great enthusiasm.”
The total investment to open a 2,400 square-foot restaurant ranges from $254,500 to $574,600, which includes a $65,000 franchising fee.
Chili Shack has a solid foundation to build on, offering a wide-ranging menu of affordably priced options served in a fast-casual style. Favorites include a massive breakfast burrito, chile cheese fries and a burger smothered in green chile, all for around $10. It also has a wide variety of tacos and more, including birria grilled cheese.
For more information about Chili Shack, visit chili-shack.com.
