After a Fairbanks opening and subsequent success of a Taco Del Mar there this summer, Jim Chevigny has decided to pepper Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley with several of the Baja taco and burrito restaurants.

Chevigny, who is called a master developer for Taco Del Mar and was successful at opening and maintaining 32 different 7-Eleven stores in Alaska in the 1980s, is back in Alaska.

Featuring a Baja Mexico theme, the restaurants are decked out with surfboard-style tables and a colorful mural that has elements from Alaska blended into the Baja theme.

Using the motto of "Release your Inner Baja," Chevigny said his is a fresh approach to the industry by offering a peppy friendly staff and spicy colorful food.

The previous Taco Del Mar restaurants in Anchorage were closed in part because of the new menu, and because the former owners wanted to pursue a different type of fast food, according to Chevigny.

Taco Del Mar has a new menu with different items and also offers catering and delivers a serve-yourself taco bar for special-occasion parties.

"Companies like it because it is an eat-in type of catering," Chevigny said.

Other changes include a different décor, such as a dried-palm overhang over the buddy bar.

Chevigny opened a new Taco Del Mar restaurant Oct. 25 at 4505 Spenard Rd. in a location he thinks will work for the burrito and taco franchise.

"The Spenard area can't be underestimated," Chevigny said. "There are no fast-food, Mexican-style restaurants on this side of the road all the way to Northern Lights, so this neighborhood and the transient tourist traffic are sure to use this eatery."

Chevigny should know. He was responsible for placing the 7-Eleven Store that is now a Tesoro convenience store and gas station at the corner of Spenard Road and Wisconsin Avenue in Anchorage.

Chevigny said the recently opened store in Anchorage has a lively manager and a fun team of young people.

"The foods great and we try to have fun," said Heidi Montgomery, restaurant manager for Spenard Taco Del Mar.

Montgomery has 25 years of food service experience and likes the theme and style of the franchise.

"I really like the concept of the food and focus on customer service," Montgomery said. "If you give them good food, and good service they will reward you by coming back."

According to Chevigny, new Taco Del Mar outlets are planned for Wasilla, and a new restaurant will open on Evergreen Street in Palmer in January.

Other Taco Del Mar restaurants in Anchorage will be located at 88th Avenue and Abbott Road, and on Tudor Road just east of TGIFridays next year.

Chevigny and his wife left Alaska in 1988 after three years managing the 7-Eleven chain and a stint with Price Waterhouse to run a family business.

Chevigny says that he loves Alaska because of the spirit of life here.

"I am glad to return from the Seattle area to what I call my home," he said.