Diners enjoying the current taste for Mexican food can look forward to a brace of new restaurants as the Mad Mex chain of three stores turns to franchising.

Sydney’s Crown Street, Darlinghurst was the original location 18 months ago for the Baja style food outlet focused on serving fresh quality ingredients and a great customer experience. Two further outlets opened, one at AMP Centre in Circular Quay, one in the Macquaire Centre, North Ryde. Blacktown’s Westpoint, Castle Towers in Castle Hill and Westfield at the Central Coast town Tuggerah are in line for openings in December. The Blacktown restaurant will be the first franchised operation, the franchise bought by an existing store manager.

Founder Clovis Young said the move to franchising would bring in people who are passionate about Mexican food, the Mad Mex brand and customer service.

Franchising creates the best customer experience and best product, Young told Franchising. Owner operators bring a passion to the business and make the quality of the product their number one focus. We want to make sure we bring in franchisees who are 100 percent confident of properly representing the brand.

Mad Mex is designed to appeal to a younger, hipper diner than traditional Mexican restaurants in Australia, signified by the brand character Mex, a wrestler.

Philip Blanco, experienced in franchising with Gloria Jeans, has joined the Mad Mex team as part owner, and is helping the Californian Young fully understand the Australian market.

Our goal is simple, we want to be the most respected Mexican restaurant in the fast-casual market, said Young.

Franchisees will pay between $350,000 and $400,000 for a turn key operation, including training.