66-year-old Mexican dining chain closes 38 locations

Economic challenges Mexican restaurant chains faced in 2025, which led to the closing of dozens of locations and, in some cases, bankruptcy filings, are continuing this year.

Last year, Mexican dining chains, including On The Border Mexican Grill, Abuelo’s, and Taco Cabana, closed dozens of underperforming locations in restructurings.

Chains cited rising inflation for higher costs of labor and food products, which in turn forced restaurants to raise their prices. Many consumers reacted to higher prices by not dining out, which affected restaurant revenue.

Financial issues have led a once-popular Mexican dining chain to close almost all of its locations since the Great Recession in 2008.

Acapulco Restaurant and Cantina will close one of its last two locations, which is located in Glendale, Calif.

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Acapulco Restaurant closes location

Acapulco Restaurant and Cantina said it will close one of its last two remaining locations in Glendale, Calif., in about two months, after which it will demolish the establishment’s building and replace it with a car wash, KTLA-TV reported.

Once the Acapulco Restaurant closes, the 66-year-old dining chain’s last remaining location will be at 6270 Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, Calif.

The chain had as many as 39 locations, but will have closed 38 restaurants when the Glendale unit permanently closes. The official closing date has not been announced yet.

The 57-year-old Glendale location was originally scheduled to close on Mother’s Day, May 10, but restaurant workers told KTLA that the restaurant will remain open for about two more months.

“This place has been more than just a restaurant — it’s been home to so many memories, celebrations, and friendships. We are beyond grateful for every guest who walked through our doors and became a part of our famly,” the restaurant said in an Instagram post.

“To our amazing regulars…thank you for your loyalty, you smiles, and for growing with us throughout the years. You truly made this place special,” according to the post.

Chain had 39 restaurants

Acapulco, currently owned by Mexican restaurant chain operator Xperience Restaurant Group, had 39 locations before downsizing as a result of the Great Recession of 2008 and its then-owner Real Mex Restaurants Inc.’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2011.

Real Mex filed for bankruptcy a second time in August 2018 and sold its assets to Z Capital Group, which rebranded as Xperience Restaurant Group in October 2018 after the sale.

Xperience has not commented further on the status of the remaining Long Beach location.

Chain’s owner has 11 different brands

Xperience Restaurant Group operates 11 brands of Mexican restaurant chains and individual establishments, totaling 66 units, including 24 El Torito locations in California, 23 Chevy’s units across the country, and 5 Sol Mexican Cocina restaurants in Irvine, Newport Beach, and Playa Vista, Calif., Denver, and Scottsdale, Ariz., according to its website.

Xperience operates two of the oldest Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., as El Torito opened its first location in Encino, Calif., in 1954, while Acapulco opened its initial restaurant in Pasadena, Calif., in 1960.

Other Mexican restaurants have had severe financial issues that led to closings and bankruptcy filings.

On The Border filed for bankruptcy

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina had about 120 locations early last year and began closing underperforming restaurants and those with leases that no longer made sense.

The 44-year-old Mexican restaurant chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 4, 2025, kept closing locations, and now operates 47 locations, according to its website.

Related: Award-winning ice cream shop chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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