A Bobby Salazar’s franchise has rebranded, cutting ties with its namesake as Fresno businessman Bobby Salazar continues his legal battle.<\/p>\n
The location on Champlain and Perrin in northeast Fresno is now “Mama Iguana’s,” operating under the same ownership as before: the Riofrio family.<\/p>\n
“We opened in November 2001. We’ve been here for over 24 years. We don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon. We just have a name change and we’re here to serve the community,” Mama Iguana’s owner, Suzie Riofrio said. “Mama Iguana’s just had a ring to it. Let’s go to Mama’s.”<\/p>\n
Riofrio says the change has brought some trouble with name recognition, leading to lower sales, especially on food delivery apps, but they reassure customers that not much has changed.<\/p>\n
“We have the same great staff and kitchen staff with high-quality, home-cooked food,” Riofrio stated.<\/p>\n
Mama Iguana’s announced the rebrand in September and officially parted ways in November.<\/p>\n
“We changed the name due to a mutual agreement to terminate our franchise with Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Restaurant,” Riofrio explained.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Bobby Salazar has been the center of a criminal lawsuit since August, accused of hiring a local motorcycle gang leader last year to torch one of his namesake restaurants on Blackstone in central Fresno.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Bobby Salazar and two others indicted on felony charges; one pleads not guilty<\/a><\/p>\n He received over $900,000 in insurance money following that fire.<\/p>\n We caught up with him ahead of his status hearing in September.<\/p>\n “Bobby, do you have anything to say about the accusations?” I asked Salazar.<\/p>\n “I’m innocent,” Salazar answered.<\/p>\n Salazar has pleaded not guilty to two arson-related felonies and firearms charges after investigators discovered several firearms at his home, including four with serial numbers removed and one ghost gun.<\/p>\n Bobby Salazar remains out of jail on bond.<\/p>\n He’s scheduled back in court toward the end of next month.<\/p>\n For news and weather updates, follow Tiffany Olin on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n