---
title: "Chili Shack Opens First Franchisee-Owned Location in Brighton, Colorado"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/a33f64c5-c80e-4941-9e81-9fa50fe46ace
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260427_chili_shack_opens_first_franchiseeowned_location_in_brighton_colorado.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2026-04-27T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:32:28.465Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Chili Shack Opens First Franchisee-Owned Location in Brighton, Colorado

**TL;DR:** Chili Shack has opened its first franchisee-owned location in Brighton, Colorado, owned and operated by Deanna Solano. The brand, founded by Abraham Olivas, has developed a loyal following since opening its first location in Lakewood, Colorado in 2020.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-04-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260427_chili_shack_opens_first_franchiseeowned_location_in_brighton_colorado.html).*

## Story

DENVER—Chili Shack has opened its top franchisee-owned restaurant in Brighton, Colorado, a rapidly growing suburb northeast of downtown Denver.

The new restaurant is owned and operated by Deanna Solano, a Southwest Denver native and longtime Chili Shack customer who recently became the brand’s inaugural franchise partner.

“As someone who’s been a fan of Chili Shack since day one, the opportunity to help expand this brand is truly a dream come true,” said Solano. “I’ve always believed in what Chili Shack stands for—the incredible food, the vibrant culture, and the genuine sense of community that brings people together. Opening our doors and introducing that experience to the Brighton community is incredibly exciting.”

Since opening its first location in 2020 in Lakewood, Colorado, Chili Shack has developed a loyal following for its crave-worthy menu. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of options across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including customizable burritos, grilled tacos and quesadillas, Southwest-inspired burgers, enchilada plates, loaded fries, and other street-style favorites.

At the heart of the menu is Chili Shack’s signature green chili—a rich, flavorful staple that brings every dish to life with its perfect balance of heat, spice, and tradition. The menu also features crispy tortilla chips served with salsa, queso, and guacamole, along with take-home items such as beans, rice, salsa, red chili, green chili, and chicharrones available in multiple sizes.

“The Brighton opening represents a significant step forward in our expansion strategy and a testament to the strength of our growing franchise program,” said Chili Shack founder Abraham Olivas. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and continue bringing our bold flavors and hospitality to new neighborhoods.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- restaurant opening (topic)
- qsr growth (topic)
- Chili Shack (company)
- Abraham Olivas (person)
- Brighton, Colorado (location)
- Deanna Solano (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260427_chili_shack_opens_first_franchiseeowned_location_in_brighton_colorado.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/a33f64c5-c80e-4941-9e81-9fa50fe46ace).