This week on Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume sits down with Patrick Fore, CEO of LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, to explore what it takes to reignite a beloved regional brand and evolve it into a scalable, modern franchise system.
Originally born in South Beach, LIME Fresh went through multiple ownership transitions—most notably its acquisition by Ruby Tuesday—before being reborn under Patrick’s leadership. But rather than rebuild the same concept, Patrick led a brand overhaul from the inside out: new menu engineering, full bar integration, better tech, and a commitment to hospitality-first culture.
With more than a decade of experience at Tijuana Flats and a short stint in SaaS, Patrick brought a blend of operational discipline and startup perspective to LIME’s second act. He shares how they reimagined the menu through coast-to-coast culinary research, unified a fragmented brand experience under the “One Whole Lime” initiative, and created a more flexible model that includes second-gen spaces and non-traditional venues like NHL arenas.
You’ll also hear why LIME is focused on measured, regional growth throughout Florida, and why they prefer deeply committed operators—especially veterans and seasoned hospitality professionals—over rapid national expansion. It’s a case study in smart, purposeful franchising.
From sexy food that photographs well and tastes great, to a leadership style that invites every team member to the table, this episode is packed with lessons for emerging franchisors, restaurateurs, and anyone interested in how to do franchising the right way.
Learn more at franchise.limefreshmexicangrill.com.
January 22, 2026
