Pictured is the Border Grill on Washington Street in Marquette. Border Grill’s founder and owner since 1997, Dan Torres, has agreed to sell the business to Chris Conklin, a Munising resident. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Focus Restaurant Concepts is the new owner of the three Border Grill locations in Marquette County.

However, Dan Torres, founder and owner of the restaurants since 1997, said in a news release that it will be “business as usual” for the two eateries in the cities of Marquette and Negaunee.

To ensure a seamless transition, Torres and the new owner, Chris Conklin, agreed Torres would continue in his same capacity for two years with the new company.

“What made this such a compelling opportunity was that it was not just about three restaurants,” Conklin said. “Border Grill is a well-established brand that is entrenched in the community and its surrounding area.

“For 21 years Dan has developed a passion in his organization that revolves around delighting their guests, creating an exciting and vibrant environment for employees to work in, and having a positive impact on the communities they serve. We are committed to ensuring that when our guests walk in to our restaurants, they continue to experience the same unique flavors and the same passion to serve our guests that they have since 1997.”

Conklin said it’s vital Torres continues to play an integral role in all aspects of the brand.

While Torres insisted he still loves what he does as much as he did when he opened his first restaurant at Seventh and Washington streets in Marquette, he says he’s been thinking about his exit strategy for several years.

“The intensity and pace of this business keeps me young, but the reality is most people my age are already settled into retirement,” Torres said. “This transaction with Chris solved the most challenging part of the exit for a small business owner, the sale. Now I can wind down gradually, keep doing what I love, without the burden of wondering who will buy my business when I’m ready.”

Conklin was a partner in a group that built, owned and operated over 50 Jimmy John’s locations in Michigan, Ohio, California and Arizona. Conklin and his family live in Munising, so when it came time to select his next venture, he was targeting something that would allow him to stay closer to home.

He made a connection with Torres through a mutual business associate in the summer of 2018. Once they concluded it could be a good fit, they worked through the complicated buy/sell process in a relatively short time.

“Every business needs to stay relevant if they want to survive,” Torres said. “As opposed to calling it change, I prefer to call it evolution. In our business, like any business, if you stay put, you end up with footprints on your back. Flavor profiles, dietary needs or desires, service expectations — all these things are constantly changing. Locally sourced foods, eco-friendliness, labor shortages, living wage — these issues and expectations demand evolution or you may no longer be relevant or financially viable.”