El Camino Real
Jose & Anani Mariscal, Owners
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Delicious, affordable food and outstanding customer service are the recipe for success for Jose Mariscal and his wife, Anani. Upon moving from Los Angeles to Fayetteville, the Mariscals decided to make their dream of owning a Mexican restaurant a reality. Just two years after starting their first restaurant, the couple is considering opening a third restaurant.

After the prosperity of the first El Camino Real in Fayetteville's bustling downtown area, Mariscal, on advice from his lender at the Bank of Fayetteville, met with Sara Allen, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville SBDC Business Consultant, to discuss opening a second location. Allen and Mariscal worked together to prepare a business history and financial projections. Allen then packaged an SBA LowDoc loan on the Mariscals' behalf, and Bank of Fayetteville agreed to fund the proposal. Shortly after securing financing, Mariscal opened El Camino Real #2 in Greenland - just 6 miles down the road from the first location!

El Camino Real employs 8 workers for both locations, and Mariscal manages to do a lot of the cooking himself. If good things come in threes, then El Camino #3 will open its doors soon to customers ready to satisfy their cravings for traditional Mexican fare.

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