Maureen Wallenfang
Post Crescent
Published 12:00 PM EST Feb 26, 2020
Rico’s Mexican Fusion in Kaukauna closed Tuesday, continuing a streak of changes at the locally owned restaurant chain.
The restaurant at 215 W. Wisconsin Ave. had been a Rico’s Family Restaurant until last month when owner Efrain “Rico” Carrasco converted it to a new concept to try to boost the restaurant’s lackluster business.
The Buzz: Rico’s changes formats in Kaukauna
It wasn’t enough.
“It just didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. We closed it for good,” he said. “I tried to do everything I could. I love Kaukauna. There wasn’t enough business to support it.”
The Freedom and Appleton Rico’s Family Restaurant locations are operating normally and have good traffic, he said. He recently sold his Combined Locks restaurant location to several of his employees.
The Buzz: Rico sells Combined Locks restaurant
Carrasco also just signed a lease to open a new location in Wrightstown’s Plum Creek Plaza, a small strip mall by Dick’s Family Foods. He said it will open in a couple of weeks. “It’s a little smaller than a regular Rico’s. It will have a smaller menu. We’re calling it Little Rico’s Restaurant.”
The dozen employees from Kaukauna “are welcome at the other Rico’s,” he said. “I gave them the option.”
Gift cards and coupons from his Kaukauna location will be honored at Rico’s restaurants in Appleton and Freedom, he said.
Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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