El Meson Sandwiches is a Puerto Rican

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...

 fast food sandwich chain based in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...

. The company sells sandwiches, breakfast, salads and other Puerto Rican foods. There are over 30 shops in the chain, which employs more than 1,000 employees
.

History

El Meson was founded on July 4, 1972, by Felipe Perez Sr. The first store was on a strip mall in Aguadilla

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...

. The restaurant quickly became very popular. In 1986, Felipe's eldest son, Felipe Perez Jr. became president and opened the second store in Mayagüez Mall

Mayagüez Mall

Mayagüez Mall is a shopping mall located between the municipalities of Mayagüez and Hormigueros. It is the third largest shopping center in Puerto Rico with a total of of retail space, and the main shopping center in western Puerto Rico, followed by Western Plaza also in Mayagüez, Aguadilla Mall...

. In 1988, the store in Plaza Las Américas

Plaza Las Américas

Plaza Las Américas is a shopping mall in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Routes 18 and 22. It is near the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and the WKAQ-TV's studios. "Plaza", as it is known to many Puerto Ricans, was the first indoor mall built...

 was founded, considered a large milestone for a small company. The company continued to grow around the island. In 1996, it opened its current headquarters in Mayaguez. The store also created a new concept called Meso Express found in gas stations. There are also several stores joined with Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts is an international doughnut and coffee retailer founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts; it is now headquartered in Canton...

,as well as a concept aimed at a more healthy menu called Meso Lite. Today, the company has stores all around the island, including one in Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, three miles southeast of San Juan. Over 4 million passengers board a plane at the airport per year according to FAA reports . It is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...

. It is one of the largest food chains in Puerto Rico.