Rio Bravo Cantina

Rio Bravo was a Tex-Mex style Mexican restaurant serving the southern United States and Michigan from its opening in 1985 until its closure in 2004. The company relaunched in August 2015, only to close again 18 months later.

Ray's Rio Bravo
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryTex-Mex restaurant
FateConverted to Chevys Fresh Mex
Founded1985 (1985) in Atlanta, Georgia
FounderRay Schoenbaum
Defunct2002 (2002)
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Area served
Eastern United States
ParentChevys Fresh Mex (1999–2002)
WebsiteArchive of website from 2001

The Rio Bravo concept began in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the first restaurant opening in the Buckhead section of Atlanta in May 1985. The concept was created by Ray Schoenbaum in conjunction with Innovative Restaurant Concepts Inc (or IRC).

In 1994, Applebee's purchased Innovative Restaurant Concepts for $66 million in stock and debt. At the time of the purchase, Innovative had 11 Rio Bravo Cantinas and 4 other restaurants.[1]

On February 11, 1999 Applebee's sold the Rio Bravo concept to Chevys Fresh Mex for $53 million in cash, plus $6 million in assumed debt.[2] After Chevy's purchase the menus between both chains were merged for supply and marketing purposes. Rio Bravo was famous for their cheese dip and salsa. Both of these were changed after the purchase. The drastic across the board changes in the menu contributed to the decline of the chain.

On November 6, 2014, Ray Schoenbaum confirmed that the Rio Bravo concept is set to return to the Atlanta metropolitan area in 2015.[3]

On February 15, 2017, Ray's Rio Bravo permanently closed.[4][5][6]

Cinco de Mayo vs. Music Midtown 2000 and 2001

Music Midtown, an Atlanta music festival that ran until 2005, was traditionally held on the first weekend in May. This conflicted with Rio Bravo's annual Cinco de Mayo parties in 2000 and 2001. In 2000 Cinco de Mayo was on a Friday and 2001 it was on a Saturday. In December 2002 Chevy’s converted or closed all Rio Bravo restaurants.

Locations

Besides suburban Atlanta, the chain also operated locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Dearborn, Michigan. Lansing, Michigan; Livonia, Michigan; Taylor, Michigan; Orlando, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Asheville, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee and Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

References
  1. "Applebee's Agrees to Buy Rio Bravo Cantinas". New York Times. October 15, 1994.
  2. "Applebee's Is Selling Rio Bravo Restaurants to Chevy's". New York Times. February 12, 1999.
  3. Fuhrmeister, Chris (November 6, 2014). "Rio Bravo Is Making Its Triumphant Return". Eater Atlanta. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  4. "Ray's Rio Bravo Closes Sandy Springs Restaurant". Sandy Springs, GA Patch. 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  5. Fuhrmeister, Chris (February 15, 2017). "Ray's Rio Bravo Has Closed". Eater Atlanta. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  6. "Ray's Rio Bravo closed in Sandy Springs | Atlanta Restaurant Scene". Retrieved 2017-12-04.
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