One of California’s most recognizable restaurant brands has dramatically reduced its footprint over the past several decades, with more than 150 locations disappearing as the casual dining industry continues to face mounting challenges.
El Torito, the Mexican restaurant chain founded in California in 1954, recently closed its Irvine location, marking the latest chapter in a years-long downsizing effort that has left the company with only about two dozen restaurants, most of them in California. At its peak in the late 1980s, the chain operated 187 locations across 25 states. Today, its presence is largely concentrated in its home state.
A steady decline over decades
Unlike many restaurant chains that have rapidly contracted through bankruptcy proceedings, El Torito’s decline has been gradual. The company still operated roughly 75 locations across California, Arizona, and Oregon as recently as 2005, but the number has steadily fallen in the years since.
The Irvine closure follows several other Southern California restaurant shutdowns over the past three years, including longtime locations in Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Orange, Westminster, and Tustin. The chain has also exited Arizona and Oregon entirely.
Industry pressures continue
El Torito’s contraction comes as casual dining brands across the country face rising labor costs, inflation, shifting consumer spending habits, and increased competition from fast-casual restaurants. Numerous chains have announced closures, restructurings, or bankruptcies during the past two years as operators work to adapt to changing market conditions…