On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
Franchising since 1982
The total investment to open a On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise ranges from $1.4M - $3.4M. The initial franchise fee is $30,000. Ongoing royalties are 4% plus a 2% advertising fee. Data sourced from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.
$1.4M - $3.4M
$30,000
FPI Score
This franchise has not yet been scored by the Franchise Performance Index. Scores are calculated based on public FDD data, SBA loan performance, and system-level metrics.
Top SBA Lenders for On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
What is the On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise?
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina stands as a prominent American chain within the Tex-Mex casual dining sector, boasting a history spanning over four decades since its inception. The brand first opened its doors on October 29, 1982, in Dallas, Texas, founded by three friends passionate about bold, border-style cuisine. Their original vision was to offer a distinctive dining experience centered around sizzling fajitas and generously sized margaritas, a concept that quickly resonated with consumers. The company’s operational headquarters are in Irving, Texas. Over its history, On The Border has navigated several significant ownership transitions. It was integrated into Brinker International as a company brand in 1994. Brinker International then sold the chain to Golden Gate Capital in 2010, with OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate, completing this acquisition. A further change in ownership occurred on April 24, 2014, when the chain was acquired by Argonne Capital Group. The most recent significant corporate announcement, made in February 2025, revealed that Pappas Restaurants would acquire On The Border, signaling a new chapter for the brand. Leadership has also seen changes, with Tim Ward serving as President and CEO in 2021, while Lyle Tick is currently listed as President & CEO on Wikipedia. The On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchise distinguishes itself through its commitment to an elevated Tex-Mex menu, featuring signature offerings such as sizzling mesquite-grilled fajitas, tortillas hand-pressed to order, freshly prepared guacamole, and notoriously large portions, embodying its core
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina based on SBA lending data
Investment Tier
Premium investment
$1,425,500 – $3,398,000 total
Why On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Doesn't Appear in Public SBA Data
The SBA 7(a) program publishes loan-level data for every approved franchise borrower. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina does not currently appear in those public records — and that absence carries useful information for prospective franchisees evaluating this brand.
Absence from SBA records does not mean a brand is un-fundable. It typically means the franchise system uses alternative capital sources, or that current franchisees self-fund, secure conventional bank financing, or roll over equity from a prior business sale rather than going through an SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loan. For prospective On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina franchisees, the practical question is which financing path actually closes for this brand's profile.
Capital paths PeerSense places for food, restaurant & retail concepts
SBA 7(a) Loans
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Equipment Financing
Kitchen equipment, POS systems, and capital-intensive build-outs.
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Franchise Partner Buyout Financing
Senior debt for partner buyouts and multi-unit roll-ups.
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Commercial Real Estate Loans
Owner-occupied or investor-owned restaurant real estate.
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Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$14,756
Principal & Interest only
Locations
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina — unit breakdown
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