Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, is to open its first site in Dorset creating up to 30 new jobs.

Tortilla Bournemouth in Old Christchurch Road will be the company’s 49th restaurant.

It will offer eat in, takeaway and delivery.

To mark the opening on Tuesday May 24 customers can register at tortilla.co.uk/locations/bournemouth for a free lunch between 12-2pm.

The new restaurant covers two floors and will seat up to 40 people.

The 25-30 new jobs cover front-of-house, kitchen, and management roles.

Founded in October 2007 by Brandon and Jen Stephens, Tortilla says it offers a customisable and authentic California-style menu, with dishes to suit all tastes, cravings, or dietary requirements.

Whether ordering in-store, click-and-collect to takeaway, or for delivery, customers can build their own meal with a choice of fillings such as Mexican rice, black beans, grilled seasonal veggies and fresh mild, medium and hot salsas, including Tortilla’s fresh, hand-smashed guacamole.

Its choice of protein – served in tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas and atop nachos queso – includes slow-cooked Barbacoa with grass-fed British Isle brisket, grilled chicken or pulled carnitas pork.

Approved by the Vegetarian & Vegan Society, Tortilla also serves an organic tempeh Chilli No Carne or a choice of grilled seasonal veggies.

All toppings are prepared fresh on-site each morning and every dish is made to order.

Tortilla also provides a bite-to-eat with burritos from £6.60, a trio of tacos from £6.40, and chips and salsa from £1.45.

Its loyalty club also offers customers complimentary chips and salsa or burritos after reaching purchase milestones.

For customers unable to make it on the launch day, the restaurant is offering 2-for-1 on main meals when dining in from Wednesday May 25 to Friday May 27.

Jason Thomas, Chief Operations Officer of Tortilla, said: “We can’t wait to introduce our brand to Bournemouth.

“We have a fantastic location on Old Christchurch Road which will provide locals and visitors with a convenient and delicious spot for lunch or dinner.

“We look forward to welcoming plenty of happy customers in store and playing our part in this thriving community.”

Tortilla now operates more than 50 eat in and take away locations across the UK and through nationwide partnerships with Deliveroo, SSP Group plc and Compass Group UK & Ireland.

Internationally, Tortilla operates in the Middle East, with ten stores in Dubai and Saudi Arabia through an exclusive franchise partnership.

All fillings for Tortilla’s burritos, tacos and quesadillas are prepared in-house and toppings are prepared fresh daily, free from artificial flavours or preservatives.

In 2020, the brand served more than 4.4 million customers.

Tortilla is headquartered in London and employs more than 1,000 people.

• Tortilla Bournemouth is located at 23 Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1DR, and is open from 11am to 9pm daily from Tuesday May 24. Customers can eat-in, click-and-collect on tortilla.co.uk, or order at home with Deliveroo from next month.