Get ready, New Mexico, because Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs – the counter-culture sandwich shop famous for its chill vibes, bold flavors, and perfect “cottonmouth cures” – is blazing a trail straight into Bernalillo! The new joint is firing up at 781 U.S. Hwy 550 and officially opens its doors on Friday, November 14th, at 10 a.m.
And you know the crew at Cheba Hut knows how to throw a party! The grand opening celebration is packed with live entertainment, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, face painting, photo ops, prizes, and the ultimate jackpot for any sandwich fanatic: a chance to win a year’s worth of Cheba Hut! If there’s one thing the “munchie-taming masterminds” know, it’s how to throw a shin dig that keeps the good vibes rolling.
From Crew Member to CEO
Leading the charge on this expansion is Issac Montoya, a true success story who started with Cheba Hut back in 2012 as a crew member. Montoya worked his way up through the ranks to General Manager and eventually became a sweat equity franchise owner. Today, as CEO of WAHi Brands, the Bernalillo shop marks his sixth Cheba Hut location, with ambitious plans to open 30 more in the next five years. This guy clearly puts the “hustle” in “hustler”!
“Cheba Hut will always be my first love,” said Montoya. “Everything about the food and atmosphere just hits different – it’s that perfect blend of culture, flavor and chill homies who actually give a damn. That’s what keeps the vibes high and the people coming back for another hit.” We couldn’t agree more – that atmosphere is the secret sauce.
Baked-In Views and Trippy Art
The new Bernalillo location takes full advantage of its stunning setting. It features a sprawling patio overlooking the beautiful Rio Grande and offers beautifully baked-in views of the Sandia Mountains. Fun fact: “Sandia” is Spanish for watermelon, a name that fits perfectly as the mountains glow pink at sunset, looking like they just took a fat rip off the New Mexico sky. Thanks to more windows than your average Cheba Hut, the dining area is always flooded with natural light, offering homies a perfect spot to vibe out.
Inside, the atmosphere gets even more lifted with trippy, vibrant murals from the Chebaverse’s main man, Finley. His latest five-panel masterpiece takes you on a journey through New Mexico’s tall tales and majestic landscapes, featuring everything from a cosmic Georgia O’Keeffe homage to a terrifying tribute to La Llorona. It’s a visual buzz that hits just as hard as the flavor combos on your sub.
With a leadership crew that earned their Master Grower certification at Cheba Hut headquarters, the team is ready to hire about 60 local homies to keep the subs toasted to perfection and ensure everyone escapes gravity with a full, satisfied stomach.
For more information on franchising with Cheba Hut, please visit franchise.ChebaHut.com.
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