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February 14, 2024
Coastal Grill Chain Provides Funding to Support Coral Reef Conservation and Protection
SAN DIEGO – Rubio’s® Restaurants, Inc., the coastal grill restaurant chain known for popularizing the fish taco, is pleased to announce it has partnered with Miami Waterkeeper to help fund its efforts in protecting South Florida’s reefs. Counting the ocean as a source of inspiration since its founding more than 30 years ago, Rubio’s Coastal Grill is committed to supporting initiatives that help preserve healthy marine life.
Florida’s coral reefs are invaluable to the ecology and economy of South Florida, yet have declined by more than 80 percent since the 1970s from a combination of local and global stressors, including, water quality issues, disease, warming oceans, unsustainable development, and more. Rubio’s donation to Miami Waterkeeper will fund scientific research and outreach to support coral reef conservation and protection, including educating Miami leaders and community members about coral reef stressors; improving citizen science monitoring of impacts to coral reefs; supporting restoration of threatened coral species and much more.
“We are passionate about giving back to the ocean,” said Ralph Rubio, co-founder of Rubio’s, where much of the menu features sustainable seafood. “Partnering with Miami Waterkeeper is a way for us to give back to the Miami community while raising awareness for a key issue impacting the local marine ecosystem.”
Consistently ranked as one of the top fast casual chains in the nation, Rubio’s Coastal Grill is known for its unique and delicious coastal cuisine. The company works to be a friend of the ocean year-round with a majority of its seafood being sourced from eco-friendly fisheries, recycling plastic and glass bottles in restaurants and using compostable and biodegradable to-go containers. Rubio’s also supports several ocean-focused causes throughout the year, including coastal cleanups, river cleanups, and partnering with aquariums.
"Coral reefs provide habitat for up to one quarter of all marine life and support the livelihoods of millions of people throughout the world, so it’s imperative our communities and local businesses work together to help preserve a healthy marine ecosystem,” said Rachel Silverstein, executive director and waterkeeper of Miami Waterkeeper.“We are very grateful to Rubio’s Coastal Grill for recognizing the value of South Florida’s coral reef and providing funding to help protect it, as well as incorporating sustainability into their company’s ethos.”
Rubio’s Coastal Grill opened its first restaurant in Miami in November 2016, as part of the California-based company’s East Coast expansion. On Thursday, February 16, 2017, Rubio’s Coastal Grill will open a second location at 3201 North Miami Avenue in the Shops at Midtown. To celebrate, the first 100 guests to visit on opening day will receive free Rubio’s merchandise and a free taco.
The Miami restaurants are among many Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations opening throughout Florida. The companyrecently opened locations in Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Winter Park, and additional Florida restaurants are scheduled to open throughout 2017.
For more information on Rubio’s Coastal Grill, or to learn how to become a member of Rubio's Beach Club and enjoy exclusive perks and special offers, visit the Rubio’s website: www.rubios.com. Guests can also join the conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rubios), Twitter (www.twitter.com/rubiostweets) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/rubioscoastalgrill).
About Rubio’s® Restaurants:
Rubio’s first opened in 1983, in the San Diego neighborhood of Mission Bay. Today, counting the ocean as a source of inspiration, Rubio’s uses responsibly-sourced seafood in nearly all of its seafood dishes, and continues to expand its menu with innovative recipes ranging from seafood tacos and burritos to California Bowls and crisp, fresh salads. In addition, Rubio’s offers all natural grilled marinated chicken and steak, “no fried” pinto beans™, handmade guacamole, a variety of proprietary salsas, and craft beer, wine and sangria beverage options. The award-winning restaurant regularly receives accolades for its famous Original Fish Taco®. It was also recently ranked as one of Fast Casual’s 'Top 50 Movers and Shakers', as well as one of America’s favorite quick service restaurant chains by Market Force Information. Rubio’s participates in a variety of community partnership efforts throughout the year including being a member of the Blue Business Council and hosting Rubio’s annual CoastFest celebration and beach cleanup. Rubio’s is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., has over 4,000 employees and currently operates more than 200 restaurants in California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Florida. For more information, visit https://www.rubios.com.