Purple Burrito opening in Ozark

California-style Mexican chain Purple Burrito is in expansion mode.

Following the opening roughly three weeks ago of a restaurant at 603 S. Kimbrough Ave. near Missouri State University, the owners have plans to launch their first location outside of the Queen City. The restaurant in Ozark would put the chain at five total locations.

Co-owner Leo Pelaez signed a year lease for undisclosed terms on Kimbrough — the site of a closed Pasta Express — for 1,280 square feet from building owner Marilyn Sue Starnes-Biggs, said SVN Rankin Co. adviser Lee McClean III, who represented the owner in the transaction. Purple Burrito shares the building with Bull’s Trophy House.

The Kimbrough eatery replaced a location at National Avenue and Division Street, where Pelaez said business was slow. He co-owns Purple Burrito with Jose Puente and Juan Lopez.

“Downtown was better,” Pelaez said.

In Ozark, the owners are targeting an opening within a month at 502 N. Third St., a high-turnover property that most recently housed the Avocado Mexican restaurant.

Co-owner Lopez’s son Juan Lopez Jr. said via Facebook Messenger that Purple Burrito also is planning another store at Sunshine Street and U.S. Highway 65 in the next few months. The younger Lopez said with the opening of the Ozark restaurant, the chain would employ between 27 and 37.