Exchange Brings First Qdoba Restaurants to Pacific Region with Four Locations
Service members and their families at two military installations in Japan are enjoying a familiar taste of home with the recent opening of Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurants—the first Qdobas in the region, on or off an installation.
The Exchange cut the ribbon on a Qdoba at Kadena Air Base on Aug. 14 and one at Camp Foster on Aug. 16. The Exchange will also open two locations at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea in mid-September.
“This is a huge Quality-of-Life boost for our troops and families,” said Col. Jason Beck, the Exchange’s Pacific region commander. “It’s hard to overstate the significance of a favorite meal from a familiar U.S. restaurant when you’re stationed halfway around the world from your home.”
Cutting the ribbon on the Qdoba at the Kadena AB Exchange are, from left: Col. Joshua D. Lundeby, 18th Wing Deputy Commander; Airman Basic Jesse West; Col. Jason Beck, Exchange Pacific Region Commander; Kristine Cowley, Okinawa Exchange general manager; Luis “Lu” Story, Qdoba franchise business consultant; and Alex Aspiras, Kadena Qdoba manager
The restaurants also align with the Exchange’s BE FIT 360 initiative to aggressively expand the availability of better-for-you options on U.S. military installations.
“Qdoba not only offers healthier options, but there’s a lot of variety within the menu as well,” said Jesus Martinez, the Exchange’s Pacific Region senior vice president. “Diners can build their own bowls, burritos, salads and more from more than 30 ingredients. Service members and families appreciate the ability to customize to suit their nutritional needs and diet goals.”
Qdoba’s menu includes vegetarian, vegan, keto-friendly, low-carb, high-protein and gluten-friendly options.
The Exchange opened its first Qdoba at Fort Carson, Colorado, in 2016 and now has more than 30 locations worldwide.
From left: Luis “Lu” Story, Qdoba Franchise Business Consultant; Col. Jason Beck, Exchange Pacific Region Commander; Maria McHatton, Qdoba Trainer; and Jasmine Schluter, Qdoba Trainer.
