Pancheros cuts ribbon on Springfield restaurant

Pancheros franchisee Davis Fresh-Mex LLC cut the ribbon just before lunchtime today on its first Springfield restaurant.

The restaurant, which opened to the public Feb. 3, is located at 2100 W. Republic Road, Ste. 100, in Magers Crossing. Pancheros opened in the easternmost unit that formerly housed Smokin’ Bob’s BBQ LLC.

Dick Davis, owner of Davis Fresh-Mex, said the quality of the food at Pancheros, which has some 80 locations systemwide, drew him to the concept after he retired as a Taco Bell franchisee.

"I had retired and sold that business, but this brand, this food, was good enough to get me out of retirement," he said. "There's not a freezer in the building. There's not a fryer in the building."

Davis said he is actively pursuing additional locations in the Springfield metro area. Davis Fresh-Mex also is the franchisee for a location that's under development in Lebanon. 

"I love the growth here in southwest Missouri," he said. "I think there's a lot of opportunity for us to invest in the restaurant industry in the metro area."

Davis was joined by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pancheros has the tagline “Burritos Better Built,” a concept built around its practice of fresh-pressing handmade dough into tortillas that are made to order, according to its website.