Beloved Mexican restaurant serving families for 33 years abruptly closes as heartbroken owners have
AN iconic Mexican food chain has announced plans to close one of its restaurants next week.
El Torito will shutter its location in Orange, California – about 30miles southeast of Los Angeles – on Tuesday.
The eatery is one of the 31 in the chain owned by the Xperience Restaurant Group.
"We invested significant time, energy, and resources in ensuring we retain this very successful location," the group's president and CEO Randy Sharpe told the Orange County Register.
"Unfortunately, our efforts did not yield the desired outcome."
The company decided to close the location on June 27 in honor of Taco Tuesday.
READ MORE MONEY
Sharpe claims the El Torito pioneered the concept.
"It will be nice to end for something we’re known for throughout the United States," he said.
None of the restaurant's 80 employees will be fired.
Instead, they'll be transferred to other El Torito locations or different restaurants owned by Xperience.
Most read in Money
"I have so many fond memories that took place at this location," said Hector Silva, El Torito's regional vice president who started as a line cook at the chain in 1983.
"From loyal guests celebrating family milestones, to cheering with guests during the FIFA World Cup, and the energy from the annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations, this location holds a sacred place in my heart.
"I have watched so many employees grow and build their careers here especially with my time as general manager."
The location by several outlet malls in Orange opened in 1989.
It's not clear if or when another business will move into El Torito's current space.
This is not the only restaurant that's announced it will shut down recently.
Friendly's closed its location in Palmer, Massachusetts, about 20miles east of Springfield, on Monday.
The chain got its start in Springfield as small ice cream shop in 1935 before growing into a nationwide juggernaut.
Read More on The US Sun
The Chili's location in Norfolk, Virginia, will also shut down at the end of the month nearly two decades in business.
Xperience did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun's request for comment.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57zKilnrFfbYF2fZJtb2idnGLBsL7IraZmpZWttqStzWapnquklsKzrc2tZJykn6iytHnOq5inn5VisKK4yJ%2Bmq6aZlnqwwdOlnK2rXw%3D%3D