SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — More than a dozen Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations across San Diego County abruptly closed this week, surprising both workers and customers.
In a statement sent to FOX 5/KUSI on Saturday, the Mexican food chain confirmed the closures to 13 local stores, as well as 35 other “underperforming” locations across California, citing the “rising cost of doing business” in the state.
“Making the decision to close a store is never an easy one,” a spokesperson for Rubio’s Coastal Grill said, adding the move came “after a thorough review of its operations and the current business climate.”
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According to company, the now-shuttered Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations are:
1480 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 901, Chula Vista, CA 91915
419 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, CA 92020
1485 E Valley Pkwy Suite A-6, Escondido, CA 92027
9187 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite 7, San Diego, CA 92123
910 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109
8935 Towne Centre Dr., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92122
9254 Scranton Rd, Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92121
2260 Callagan Hwy Bldg. 3187, San Diego, CA 92136
7835 Highlands Village Pl Suite D101, San Diego, CA 92129
1711 University Drive, Suite 110. Vista, CA 92083
9500 Gillman Drive, Food Ct, La Jolla, CA 92093
1158 W San Marcos Blvd Suite A, San Marcos, CA 92078
437 Hwy 101 #117, Solana Beach, CA 92075
“While painful, the store closures are a necessary step in our strategic long-term plan to position Rubio’s for success for years to come,” the spokesperson continued.
However, the move has still drawn pushback from purported customers and workers on the chain’s social media. At least one user who said they were a worker on a recent Instagram post, which has now been cleared of comments, said they were informed on Friday of their store’s closure.
Known for its fish tacos, Rubio’s Coastal Grill was founded in Mission Beach in 1983. Since then, the chain has expanded to over 100 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. According to the spokesperson, 86 stores will remain open after the closures.
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