Mad Mex is planning significant growth in Australia with the store footprint expected to increase by 25 per cent each year.

The focus on the domestic market is good news for Aussies with founder Clovis Young positive about future expansion.

“We see a lot of great opportunities. Mad Mex is the preferred retailer from a shopping centre perspective, Mexican is critical for appealing to a younger demographic,” he told Inside Franchise Business.

“Our short term priorities are super regional shopping centres, and high density neighbourhoods. We have a positive view of CBDs but it will be a two-year recovery.”

Spreading the brand further across New Zealand is a medium term goal with a target of at least five more stores to take the network to 20+ outlets.

Mad Mex has just bought out its overseas venture partner, which had owned 50 per cent of the business since 2018.

Bringing the brand back to Australian ownership gives it the ability to act swiftly to secure the best deals, Young said.

“We can act aggressively and quickly, take advantage of great lease deals and prioritise great franchisees.”

The joint ownership was intended to fire up Asian expansion; with the closure of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur stores amid Covid challenges, regaining total control made sense. Now Young is able to focus on building up the domestic business in the immediate future.

He still has plans to take the brand international however.

“We’re certainly continuing to build capability and have an interest in expanding outside Australia and New Zealand; it’s horizon two, it’s medium term.”

Find out more about Mad Mex here.