By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina’s new Salisbury location will be celebrating its grand opening on Thursday.

The new location is at 120 Rowan Summit Dr., No. 600, in Salisbury.

The event will start with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. and the giveaways start at 11 a.m. The first 50 guests in line will get a preloaded Cantina Club card ranging from $10 to $200 in Salsarita’s rewards.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Meg from 96.9 The Kat will be hosting a remote broadcast.

Prizes, such as a free taco bar for 20 people, will be given away every 30 minutes.

Salsarita’s is a Charlotte-based restaurant that was founded in 2000. It offers Mexican foods like quesadillas, burritos, tacos and nachos, as well as salsas and salads.

There are more than 80 locations in 18 states.

Salsarita’s is also partnering with the Salvation Army of Rowan County to collect canned foods during the grand opening. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., every guest who donates will receive a free chips and queso offer card for a future visit.

Through The Caring Cantina program, Salsarita’s helps support charities around the Charlotte market, including The Urban Ministry Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“It is part of our overall philosophy of giving back that I think personally, and we think as a company, is important,” Philip Friedman, chief executive officer of Salsarita’s Franchising LLC and chairman and chief executive officer of Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, said. He also said the company will be looking for more opportunities to help the local community throughout the year.

Friedman said the prominent site right off of Interstate 85 was a plus when planning where to build a new restaurant. He said the company is always “looking for markets that are going to continue to develop in residential and commercial areas,” and Salisbury is one of those places.

The company’s new strategy focuses on opening new restaurants and expanding into other markets.

“Salisbury’s one of the first ones for us for the execution of the strategy we started three years ago,” Friedman said.

The restaurant is the second in the state to feature Salsarita’s new restaurant design, which includes brighter, contemporary colors, a new-looking menu and an overall enhanced guest experience.

Friedman said the company plans to open two more restaurants in the greater Charlotte area and the Columbia, South Carolina area.

“We’re very excited about Salisbury,” Friedman said. “It gives us a chance to be a leader in developing the market.”

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.