Bobby Salazar’s franchisee vowed to protect her Fresno business. Here’s the plan
A franchisee of Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Restaurant in northeast Fresno told The Bee earlier this month that she’d do everything she could to protect her business in the aftermath of the arson-related arrest of its namesake founder — including changing its name.
Now she’s doing just that.
The Bobby Salazar’s in the Washington Square shopping center at Champlain Drive and Perrin Avenue is becoming Mama Iguana’s.
Franchise owner Suzie Riofrio was not immediately available for comment Monday, but said to The Bee in early September, “I am not giving up my livelihood and have no intention of closing. But a name change is a possibility. I have to do everything I can to protect my business and my employees.”
A Facebook post Sunday said the restaurant was in the process of transitioning to the new name, but is the same family-owned business. The Riofrio family has owned it for 24 years.
Although the post did not go into details, someone commenting as the restaurant explained that the “franchise was being terminated.”
Bobby Salazar, who founded the restaurants, was arrested Sept. 2 on suspicion of three felonies. He is suspected of hiring the president of the Screamin’ Demons Motorcycle gang to burn down the underperforming Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in April.
The insurance policy on the burned structure paid out almost $1 million, court records show.
Salazar, 63, has been released on a $1 million bond. He could go to federal prison for up to 30 years if convicted of all charges.
Drop in business
At the Champlain and Perrin location, Riofrio told The Bee three weeks ago that she noticed a drop in business soon after Salazar’s arrest.
Then came the social media comments.
“There was so many negative comments out there,” she said. “But what some people didn’t understand is that we are (a) completely separate business.”
Worried that the fallout could hurt her business and the future of her 25 employees, she went on the offensive, posting reminders on her Facebook page that the restaurant is not connected to Salazar.
“I have been a sole Franchise owner at this location for 24 years with my own run business and employees,” she said
She posted a similar message on the front door of the restaurant.
One other location of Bobby Salazar’s, in Old Town Clovis, is also a franchise. No one answered the phone at the location Monday.
Salazar also owns a line of salsa sold in grocery stores and Lucy’s Lounge, a cocktail bar in the Tower District.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
