What is Freebirds Chicken? A Look at the Unique Tex-Mex Chain

Freebirds World Burrito, or just “Freebirds,” is a well-known chain of fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurants. People all over the US love Freebirds because it specializes in making custom burritos and bowls. Its unique take on Mexican food has earned it a cult following.

A Brief History of Freebirds

Freebirds was founded in 1987 by Mark Orfalea, who opened the first location near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara. Drawing inspiration from California’s surf culture, Orfalea aimed to create a laidback environment where customers could customize their meals.

The “Freebird” name refers to the Lynyrd Skynyrd song of the same name which Orfalea was a big fan of. It also references the free spirit of the restaurants and its customizability.

Orfalea steadily grew the chain over the years, opening stores across California. In 2001, the company began offering franchising opportunities allowing for rapid expansion. Today there are over 70 Freebirds locations, primarily in Texas and California.

In 2020, Freebirds was acquired by Nassau Foods, a portfolio company of private equity firm TriSpan. The new ownership aims to continue Freebirds’ growth through new locations and innovation while preserving its original vision.

What Makes Freebirds Unique?

The heart of Freebirds is its build-your-own burrito and bowl concept. Guests can choose from over 20 ingredients to fully customize their meal exactly to their liking.

Some signature ingredients that set Freebirds apart include:

• Tortillas baked in-house daily – Freshly baked tortillas make a difference you can taste. Customers can choose from flour, wheat, spinach, and corn tortillas.

• Signature sauces – Freebirds has seven signature sauces ranging from cool ranch to fiery habanero. They add a flavor punch to every bite.

• Mexican rice and beans – Freebirds uses flavorful Mexican rice and pinto or black beans slow-cooked from scratch in all its burritos and bowls.

• Queso – Smooth, creamy queso can be added to any order or enjoyed on its own with chips for dipping.

• Pollo Asado – Marinated, fire-grilled chicken adds hearty protein to burritos and bowls.

Freebirds also serves Tex-Mex with more unusual ingredients, such as quinoa, jackfruit, and ghost pepper sauce. People with special dietary needs can choose from dishes like avocado tortillas and cauliflower rice.

This variety allows customers to get exactly the flavors they crave and adjust spice levels to their tastes. Whether you like mild or super-hot, Freebirds has you covered.

Freebirds Menu Staples

While the burritos and bowls make up the bulk of Freebirds’ menu, the chain has some other standout items as well:

Nachos

Freebirds nachos come with freshly fried chips, beans, queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. You can order them with meat or vegetables. They make the ultimate sharable appetizer.

Tacos

Tacos come in crispy or soft corn tortillas topped with meat, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese. Tacos are a lighter option compared to the bigger burritos.

Quesadillas

These quesadillas are toasted and melted cheese. They can be filled with meat, vegetables, or both. They come with sour cream and pico de gallo to dip them in.

Salads

Salads offer a healthy, lighter choice with greens, veggies, beans, cheese, and protein. The Baja and Santa Fe salads are customer favorites.

Kids Meals

Freebirds’ kids meals cater to younger tastes with quesadillas, tacos, or burritos with rice and beans or applesauce.

Drinks

To wash it all down, Freebirds has an array of fountain drinks, along with aguas frescas like hibiscus and strawberry, and Mexican coke made with real cane sugar.

No matter what you choose, it’s all customizable to your preferences at Freebirds!

Why Freebirds Has an Avid Fanbase

With its laidback California roots and emphasis on individuality, Freebirds has earned an avid following over the decades. Fans love being able to fully customize their Tex-Mex experience.

Some key reasons Freebirds has such loyal customers:

• Fresh, quality ingredients – Freebirds uses high-quality ingredients prepared in-house daily like queso, beans, salsas, and tortillas.

• Customizable options – With so many ingredients and unlimited combinations, you can craft your perfect meal every time.

• Unique flavors – Signature sauces, queso, and proteins like pollo asado create a standout Freebirds taste.

• Generous portions – Burritos and bowls are stuffed full with your chosen ingredients and flavors.

• Reasonable prices – Considering the portions and quality, Freebirds offers great value for the cost.

• Fun atmosphere – Lively, colorful decor and upbeat music create a vibrant, casual Freebirds vibe.

The brand has a reputation for encouraging customers to let their freak flag fly and make each meal exactly how they want it. That appeals to its young, hungry fanbase seeking their own unique culinary experience.

What the Future Holds for Freebirds

Under its new ownership, Freebirds is charting an ambitious course for expansion. The chain aims to double its footprint over the next 3-5 years by opening 30 or more new stores annually.

Freebirds plans to deepen its connection to local communities as it spreads to new cities. The brand also intends to roll out innovations to its menu, technology, and sustainability practices to meet changing consumer preferences.

However, Freebirds also remains committed to upholding its original vision – encouraging individual choice and delivering fresh, craveable Tex-Mex flavors. Fans can expect their custom burritos, bowls, nachos, queso, and more to stay right at the core of Freebirds.

With its growing devoted fanbase and increasing nationwide presence, the laidback Freebirds concept has demonstrated mass appeal that should only continue in the years ahead.

So next time you’re craving a loaded burrito or bowl bursting with all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors, head to your nearest Freebirds and let your inner freebird fly! Customize a fresh feast you can only find at this one-of-a-kind concept.