Baja Fresh Spicing Up O.C. With 10 More Stores

The Baja Fresh chain of casual Mexican food restaurants is planning to double its presence in Orange County by opening 10 restaurants here within the next two years. The Thousand Oaks-based chain opened its 10th Orange County location this month in Irvine on Jamboree Road.

As part of an aggressive nationwide expansion plan, the chain is departing from its black-and-white checkerboard interior. New eateries emphasize marble and tile and a more colorful decor. An open kitchen allows customers to watch as food is being prepared, and a walk-in refrigerator comes equipped with a window so that patrons can see the fresh produce.

“It helps create some theater and keeps the restaurants from being just a bunch of white walls where food come out of a window,” said Greg Dollarhyde, chief executive of Baja Fresh.

The chain, which operates 63 restaurants in seven states, plans to add about 250 more stores within the next five years in Southern California and other parts of the country.

Existing restaurants will keep their black-and-white style, but wooden tables and wood accents will be added.