Food Safety at QDOBA
★Last modified August 2026.
Food Safety at QDOBA
At QDOBA, bold flavor starts with food you can trust.
Our Food Philosophy is anchored by the rigorous standards we require for sourcing, preparing, and serving food in our restaurants every day. Guest safety remains our top priority.
Our Commitments
Food safety comes first: New team members complete training on our core food safety standards before anything else, and every new QDOBA manager completes a multi-week training program that begins with and continually reinforces food safety and sanitation.
One System, One Brand: We hold every QDOBA restaurant to the same high standards, which are grounded in industry leading frameworks and audited by an independent, accredited food safety organization multiple times a year.
End-to-end accountability: QDOBA’s experienced Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) and Restaurant Support teams uphold our standards at every stage and supports our restaurants and Franchise partners with tools, training, and continuous improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does QDOBA make sure the food it serves is safe?
Our food safety standards are grounded in the U.S. FDA Food Code and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), which guide how food is safely received, stored, prepared, and held. These standards include safe temperature control, keeping raw and ready-to-eat ingredients separate, proper hygiene and handwashing, and keeping team members who are unwell away from food. Our restaurants use a digital food safety platform to guide and document routine safety checks, including temperature monitoring.
How are QDOBA's team members trained to keep food safe?
To maintain our high standards and ensure compliance with the FDA Food Code, every restaurant must meet strict leadership training requirements. We are proud to partner with ServSafe®, the National Restaurant Association’s food safety certification program. Training is reinforced through both coursework and hands-on practice, so safe habits are built into how our teams work every day.
How does QDOBA help guests with food allergies?
We provide allergen and dietary information to help guests make informed choices. If you have a food allergy, please review our Allergen Guide before placing your order.
How does QDOBA uphold a safe supply chain?
Before a supplier can work with us, our Food Safety and Quality Assurance team inspects and qualifies them against QDOBA’s standards. Suppliers must operate USDA- or FDA-inspected facilities and pass an independent, GFSI-recognized food safety audit annually, and we hold them to those standards year-round. For fresh produce, we work with suppliers who follow recognized good agricultural and handling practices.
How does QDOBA trace its ingredients?
In our restaurants, consistent labeling, first-in-first-out rotation, and shelf-life controls help keep ingredients fresh and accounted for. We partner with leading suppliers whose systems allow us to trace produce and ingredients back through the supply chain when needed, from our growers to our distributors.
What does QDOBA do if there's ever a food safety concern?
A cross-functional team spanning food safety and quality assurance, supply chain, operations, risk management, and communications monitors food safety on an ongoing basis, both to help prevent issues and to respond quickly if one arises. When a concern comes up, we coordinate promptly with our food suppliers, distribution centers, restaurant teams, and public health authorities, and take appropriate action based on the facts.
Learn More
Explore our Clean Label Pledge, review our Allergens Guide and Dietary Guide, reference our full list of ingredients, and find trusted food safety information from the FDA Food Code and the CDC.
If you have any questions about food safety, contact us at [email protected].