"We are very excited to open our first Moe's Southwest Grill in Mentor ... and we look forward to becoming the community eatery of choice for residents, kids, families, and professionals throughout the area," co-owner Ryan O'Hare said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Moe's Southwest Grill is hiring 40 to 45 workers for its first Mentor restaurant at 9710 Mentor Ave., opening Nov. 20.
Local owners Ryan O'Hare, Paul Giggi and Thomas O'Hare, all of whom have experience in the restaurant business, have signed a deal to open several locations, although they have not identified the other sites.
In Mentor, they are looking for shift supervisors, prep cooks, cashiers, floor attendants, dishwashers and "burrito experts." Job seekers can apply at the store starting Nov. 1.
"We are very excited to open our first Moe's Southwest Grill in Mentor ... and we look forward to becoming the community eatery of choice for residents, kids, families, and professionals throughout the area," Ryan O'Hare said in a written statement.
Moe's will donate a portion of its grand opening proceeds to a local organization in need.
"As long-time restaurateurs, we believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate. We look forward to benefiting a local organization in our pre-opening event and are anxious to give back within Mentor and the surrounding region for many years to come," said Paul Giggi, in the same written statement.
Moe's, a fast-casual franchise chain based in Atlanta, already has four Northeast Ohio restaurants: at the Cleveland Clinic at 9500 Euclid Ave.; at 25102 Brook Park Road, in North Olmsted; at 36050 Detroit Road, in Avon; and at 3029 Graham Road, in Stow.
"The first thing you'll hear when you walk into the restaurant is an enthusiastic, 'Welcome to Moe's!'" the website said. "It's more than just our rally cry. It embodies the entire culture. Everybody is welcome at Moe's. Except, of course, fugitives."
All meals, including signature menu items like the Homewrecker burrito, Close Talker salad and John Coctostan quesadilla, are made to order and come with free chips and salsa. Moe's is best known for its burritos, but also serves kids' meals, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly options.
Moe's also features touch-screen operated Coca-Cola Freestyle soda fountains, offering more than 100 regular, low-calorie and caffeine-free beverages.
Moe's in Mentor will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Moe's operates more than 500 locations in the U.S. and abroad. Its parent company, FOCUS Brands Inc. of Atlanta, also franchises and operates more than 4,500 Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon Bakery, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's Deli locations, as well as Seattle's Best Coffee on certain military bases.