Our dear founder, Mr. Felipe Perez Sr, never imagined the outcomes of what he was about to start on a typical day many years ago. July 4, 1972 was supposed to be a regular holiday. Don Felipe, as he’s known to his loved ones, opened the doors for the very first time to El Meson Sandwiches in the Marbella Shopping Center in the town of Aguadilla.

Don Felipe explains he chose the holiday because he thought it was going to be aslow day. But to his surprise it turned out to be quite the contrary. The restaurant was packed, and it has continued this way throughout the years, and across the Island.

When history is being made, events continue to unfold to fill the pages of a book . . . In 1986, Don Felipe’s eldest son, Felipe Perez Jr. became the President of El Meson Sandwiches. In 1987 Felipe Perez Jr. opened the second restaurant in Mayaguez Mall.

In 1988 El Meson Sandwiches opened in Plaza Las Americas, the largest commercial center in the Caribbean. This was a milestone for our company, considering that it was such a small company in size, but big at heart, and on customer service. The Perez family continued towards the future with one vision: to offer a product with the highest quality, and above all with the best customer service in a familiar environment.

We continued to expand, opening a new restaurant in Mayaguez Town Center in 1991. In 1992 Don Felipe was able to fulfill a special dream by opening a restaurant in a beautiful colonial building in the historical section of the capital city, Old San Juan. This same year, Don Felipe’s youngest son, Gil Perez, joined the company as Vice President.

In the following years we continued to grow, opening restaurants in different shopping centers like Plaza del Caribe in Ponce, Plaza del Norte in Hatillo, Plaza Carolina, Plaza del Oeste in San German, Plaza Palma Real in Humacao, and Las Catalinas Mall in Caguas. This growth was not limited to territorial expansion. El Meson Sandwiches also grew by offering a bigger variety in products, better customer service, and by adapting the latest technology. This growth also includes a work force of more than 1,000 employees, a Warehouse and Distribution Center, and the main offices.

Ever since 1996 the main offices have become a strategic point within our company. With its colonial architecture the main offices occupy a large part of the city block in Aduana Street in Mayaguez. In 2002 and 2003 the main offices grew even larger with the addition of two more buildings.

In 1998 a different architectural style was adapted with the new restaurant in Borinquen, Aguadilla. Later that year another restaurant was opened in Mayaguez, in the Western Plaza shopping center. In 1999 the great family at El Meson Sandwiches expanded with a new vision, opening a new concept restaurant, Meso Express, in Bayamon. This new type of restaurant is located in different gasoline stations throughout the Island, with ample drive through service.

After successfully launching Meso Express, El Meson Sandwiches continued to open restaurants in Aguadilla Mall, and in Hatillo. The new store in Hatillo was with a Free Standing concept. A new restaurant in Carolina, and another one in Ponce followed.

With the new millennium in 2000, El Meson Sandwiches gave birth to a new phase. We had the honor of joining forces with Baskin Robins. Both companies opened a store in Yauco Plaza. In December 2001 El Meson Sandwiches inaugurated its 20th restaurant, with a Food Court Concept in Beltz Factory Outlets in the city of Canovanas. In 2002 our concept of the “Triple Combo” was born. This is the union of El Meson Sandwiches, Baskin Robins, and Dunkin’ Donuts, all under one roof in our new restaurant in Rexville Town Center in Bayamon.

In August 1, 2003 our second Meso Express store was opened in Plaza del Sol in Bayamon. Another “Triple Combo” followed in the town of Fajardo. By 2005 El Meson Sandwiches had covered all geographical points of Puerto Rico, by opening a new restaurant in the northern town of Manati, and in the southern town of Santa Isabel. Later, a third store of Meso Express was opened in Bayamon.

February 20, 2007 marked another important date for El Meson Sandwiches. We opened our doors to the world by inaugurating a restaurant at the International Airport of Luis Munoz Marin. Located at Terminal B, this became our 27th store located in the Island.

In 2006 we started another concept with our Mesolite store also located in Plaza Las Americas. Mesolite offers a variety of products to the general public interested in a more healthy diet. Mesolite adopted the light menu that El Meson Sandwiches offers, along with a Fruit & Salad Bar. Mesolite also offers exclusive salads such as the Ying Yang, Athens, and Caprichio; a variety in soups, muffins, and sugar free desserts.

And to think it was going to be just a typical day on July 4, 1972 . . .