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Qdoba launches a queso-themed virtual brandQdoba launches a queso-themed virtual brand

Qdoba hops on the virtual brand train with “Pure Gold”: delivery-only menu items all made with the brand’s three-cheese queso sauce

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

June 28, 2022

2 Min Read
Qdoba pure gold
"The launch of our Pure Gold virtual brand gives guests a convenient and craveable delivery experience,” Karen Silk, CMO of Qdoba said in a statement.Qdoba

Joanna Fantozzi

Qdoba Mexican Eats just announced its first foray into the virtual dining space with Pure Gold: a queso-themed delivery-only menu. Each menu item is only available through third-party delivery in 300 locations across the country in select markets including Denver and Indianapolis, and stars the fast-casual brand’s three-cheese queso sauce.

"The launch of our Pure Gold virtual brand gives guests a convenient and craveable delivery experience,” Karen Silk, CMO of Qdoba said in a statement. “Pure Gold fulfills a promise of simple indulgence by bringing guests new ways to enjoy our signature queso.” 

The menu items include multiple types of queso dips (including a build your own loaded queso, pork verde, and hot honey chicken), queso-filled quesadillas, and queso-topped tacos (available in chicken, hot honey chicken, and steak). Each of the menu items has a kitschy “gold rush”-themed name like “gold strike steak” and “24-karat quesadillas.”

"This virtual brand allows us to leverage our second make-lines, existing labor and ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind, exclusive queso menu," a Qdoba representative told Nation's Restaurant News. "Qdoba’s signature three-cheese queso has always been in demand and Pure Gold allowed us to get creative and develop an exclusive menu around this star ingredient."

Qdoba has been ramping up its digital technology investment recently, with the launch of a digital rewards program in February in partnership with Paytronix, which included a two-tiered system with “foodie status,” where customers can earn points after every visit, and “chef status,” which is achieved after 12 visits annually, and also comes with discounted queso, and exclusive offers and challenges for members.

Also in February, Qdoba expanded its physical presence by announcing the largest franchise deal in company history to bring 30 new locations to the Florida market.

To celebrate the release of the new queso-theme virtual brand, Qdoba is offering $5 off Pure Gold orders of $25 or more placed on DoorDash now through July 6.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

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Qdoba Mexican Eats

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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