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Z-Teca Mexican Grill in Denver speedily is wrapping big burritos into big business.
Z-Teca, since opening its first store in September 1995, has expanded to 20 in nine states with a number of franchise units under development. It has drawn the attention of venture capitalists as well as a number of high-profile restaurant industry players.
"We're in an exciting niche," said Tony Miller, cofounder and president of Z-Teca. The quick-service salsa bar and burrito emporium is catching on with the public, heating up competition from such concepts as Rubio's Baja Grill, La Salsa and Baja Fresh. In February, McDonald's Corp. bought a stake in another Denver Mexican restaurant, Chipotle Mexican Grill.
"We're a little different from the others," Miller explained. "We offer our items in a cafeteria-style service format. The cooking is done in an exhibition-style kitchen."
The menu offers a chicken burrito, $4.79; a poblano-pesto burrito, $4.99; a chicken mole burrito, ;4.99; a...