Laura Peters

lpeters@newsleader.com

WAYNESBORO - Moe's Southwest Grill will be opening in Waynesboro at the former Orbital Grill.

According to Daley Michael, spokeswoman for Moe's, owner Brett Hayes bought into the franchise at the end of 2015.

Hayes owns the Zeus Theater and the former Orbital Grill, as well as an office building across from Zeus that houses seven tenants in a 10,000-square-foot space. There are still 16 acres that are undeveloped around movie theater, which Hayes could also develop.

This is the first Moe's to be opened in the area. Moe's has locations in and around Newport News, Richmond, Northern Virginia, Lynchburg, Farmville and Blacksburg.

"It's kind of a new market for us," Michael said.

Moe's offers a Tex-Mex menu — from burritos to tacos to fresh chips. Every order is custom-made by the patron in a walk-through line, plus there is free chips and salsa with every order.

According to its website, they offer grass-fed steak, all natural chicken, organic tofu and handcrafted guacamole.

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The projected opening date is the end of April, Michael said. Hayes also bought two other franchise agreements for Moe's to be opened in Staunton and Harrisonburg in the coming years, Michael said.

Orbital Grill closes its doors

The Orbital Grill was closed in September 2015.

Hayes could not be reached for comment.

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Follow Laura Peters@peterslaura and@peterpants. You can reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or 213-9125.