Pancho's Mexican Buffet is a chain of Tex-Mex restaurants (5 as of 2015) in the United States. In 2017, the owners began closing stores due to poor performance, and developed a small store concept named "Cuban Cafe". There are currently 2 locations in the Houston area and two locations in the DFW area. Pancho's main product is an all-you-can-eat buffet, though unlike many other such buffets additional food is brought by waitstaff rather than self-served, except for in the chain's "Super Buffet" locations. Pancho's fare include tacos, flautas, enchiladas, tamales, rice, refried beans, guacamole and many other traditional Tex-Mex items. Pancho's also provides takeout and catering services. The company was formerly listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the 1980s under the symbol "PAMX". In 2010, the company had 40 locations, In February 2012, Panchos corporate had shut down operations. All corporate owned restaurants were closed, phone lines were disconnected, and the website was removed. The reasons behind it are unknown. Non corporate owned locations remain open. By September 2014, 14 franchise locations operate in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. In October 2021, there were a total of four Pancho's-branded locations still open (3 in the DFW area and 2 in the Houston area). History The first Pancho's restaurant opened in El Paso, Texas in 1958. The restaurant was founded by Jesse Arrambide, Jr. (who also owns Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey's restaurant)., who learned how to make Mexican dishes from his mother. His experience in cooking in large quantities while serving on an American naval troopship during World War II would contribute towards his concept of how to operate a buffet-style restaurant. After several years of operating his restaurant as a success, Arrambide turned his energy towards creating a Pancho's restaurant chain. The company eventually relocated its corporate office from El Paso to Fort Worth, Texas in 1966. In 2007, Pancho's moved east again, this time to Dallas, Texas. Since 1979, the corporation has changed hands between several owners and partners. The restaurant chain is owned and managed by Pancho's Mexican Buffet, Inc., which was previously named Pamex Foods, Inc. Pamex Foods, Inc. changed its corporate name to Pancho's Mexican Buffet, Inc. in 1982. In 1988, there were 55 Pancho's Mexican Buffet restaurants. At the end of 2000, there were 48 restaurants, and the company employed 2001 people. In September 2004, there were 40 restaurants, located in the U.S.