JUST IN: Local Mexican restaurant chain to expand into its eighth state

A locally based fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain is expanding its footprint again, this time moving into its eighth state: Massachusetts.

Hot Head Burritos signed a franchise agreement to open a restaurant in Northampton, Mass., according to a Hot Head Burritos release. The new restaurant is expected to open in late 2018.

>> Kettering-based pizza chain to expand into West Virginia with 20 new stores

Franchisees Tom, Greg, and Wayne Yvon also operate a Hot Head Burritos location in Connecticut and are planning more in that state as well, Hot Head Burritos CEO and president Ray Wiley told this news outlet.

“We are very proud to expand to our 74th location reaching now 8 states, and we hope to continue to grow,” Wiley said.

>> RELATED: Hot Head Burritos has big plans — and they involve alcohol

The  restaurant chain, which opened its first restaurant in Kettering in 2007, scored some national acclaim in May when it was named to Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list.

>> Hot Head named to national 'Top 100 Movers & Shakers' list for 2nd time

The Top 100 list is selected by Fast Casual, a publication and web site that cover the fast-casual segment of the restaurant industry. The chain’s headquarters are in the process of moving from West Chester Township back to Kettering.

>> RELATED: Daytonian of the Week: Ray Wiley, co-founder of Hot Head Burritos and Rapid Fired Pizza  (October 2017)

Hot Head’s rapid initial growth earned national recognition. In December 2011, the chain was named among the “Ones to Watch” by QSR Magazine, which monitors the “quick-service restaurant” category.

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Hot Head has been renovating some of its older stores and has added alcoholic beverages, with an emphasis on craft beer and margaritas, at several of its Dayton-area locations.

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