**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**ANCHOR:** "Good evening. We are following a significant development in the fast-casual dining sector. In a move that has caught industry analysts by surprise, a prominent Mexican restaurant chain has officially completed its full withdrawal from the United States market.
**Who:** The company is Grupo Maestre, the parent corporation of the regional chain 'Fuego Verde.'
**What:** The chain has permanently shuttered its final 17 corporate-owned locations across the southwestern United States and terminated all franchise agreements in the country. All U.S. assets have been liquidated.
**When:** The final locations closed their doors effective 9:00 PM Eastern Time yesterday, concluding a phased exit that began six months ago.
**Where:** The affected locations were concentrated in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas, with the flagship Houston location being the last to close.
**Why:** According to a statement released by Grupo Maestre’s CEO, the decision was driven by sustained supply chain volatility and a sharp decline in profit margins. The company cited a 40% increase in core ingredient costs over 18 months, combined with what they described as an 'increasingly challenging regulatory environment' for commerce, making continued U.S. operations untenable. The chain will refocus entirely on its domestic operations in Mexico and select Central American markets.
No further comment has been issued regarding employee severance or outstanding vendor contracts."