# Maria Empanada

> Maria Empanada is a Denver-based Argentinian fast-casual chain built by Lorena Cantarovici, an immigrant who arrived with $300 and no English, then turned her grandmother's savory empanada recipes into a five-location business baking more than 1,500 empanadas a day. Named for the three Marias in her family, the company sells hand-crimped empanadas, alfajores, and Argentine coffee across metro Denver, including Denver International Airport, backed by up to $3.5 million from the Colorado Impact Fund.

- **Founded:** 2010
- **Headquarters:** Denver, Colorado, United States
- **Founders:** Lorena Cantarovici (Founder (and long-time CEO))
- **Team size:** ~17 employees listed; the company has reported employing 60+ people across its operations
- **Products:** Savory empanadas, Sweet empanadas & alfajores, Catering, Cafe beverages
- **Notable:** SBA Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2017, Named one of Nation's Restaurant News '8 Breakout Brands of 2018', Zagat-rated among the hottest new bakeries in America

## Products & services

- **Savory empanadas** — Hand-crimped, baked-fresh Argentine-style empanadas in flavors including Argentina (beef), Chorizo, Beef Classico, Chicken Chimichurri, Mushroom, Caprese, Spinach, Corn, and Potato & Cheese, each stamped with a marking that identifies the filling.
- **Sweet empanadas & alfajores** — Dessert empanadas such as Banana Nutella, plus traditional Argentine alfajores - dulce de leche sandwich cookies.
- **Catering** — Empanada catering boxes, sweets, and a la carte items for groups from roughly 8 to 30 people or more, available for pickup or delivery.
- **Cafe beverages** — Espresso-based coffees, Argentine wine, and local craft beer served in-cafe.

## Achievements

- SBA Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2017
- Named one of Nation's Restaurant News '8 Breakout Brands of 2018'
- Zagat-rated among the hottest new bakeries in America
- Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
- Raised up to $3.5 million from the Colorado Impact Fund
- Founder hosted Vice President Kamala Harris on the 2021 'Help is Here' tour and was invited to Washington to represent Latino business owners
- Opened at Denver International Airport in July 2025

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Denver Gazette profiles the brand 'having its moment' - from feeding Lionel Messi to selling at Denver airport and Rapids games.
- **2025-10** — Andrew Jaffe, formerly of Snooze A.M. Eatery, joins as CEO to lead the next growth phase; founder Lorena Cantarovici remains at the helm of the brand.
- **2025-07** — Opened a new location at Denver International Airport's Concourse A as a featured local concession.

## Links

- Website: https://mariaempanada.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/maria-empanada
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mariaempanada
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaempanadadenver/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mariaempanadadenver/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/maria-empanada
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-19