Barberitos is a franchise chain of San Francisco-inspired restaurants based in Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. As of November 2011, 24 Barberitos restaurants are operating in the southeastern United States.[1] The company name is a portmanteau of Downing Barber, company founder, and burrito, a signature item at Barberitos restaurants. (Barberitos is consistently spelled without a possessive apostrophe.)
The original Barberitos, still in operation, is located in downtown Athens, near the University of Georgia's North Campus. Recently Barberitos began selling franchise opportunities. There are now approximately eighteen restaurants in operation in Georgia, and about six more in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.
Barberitos serves Tex-Mex fare such as burritos, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas. They are perhaps best known for the Skinny, Fatty and Heavy D varieties of their burritos. They offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan entrees (including tofu burritos). They also feature a "Lil' Barbs" menu for children.
Barberitos differentiate themselves from their competitors by offering only fresh food. A few ways they ensure the ingredients are always fresh include no freezers on the premises, fresh produce delivered daily, making their own chips, and never using preservatives or premade ingredients.
The company mascot is Pepe, a grinning, anthropomorphic chili pepper wearing dark glasses and clutching a burrito.