Now Jim and Linda Ainsworth have a Golden Burrito at Mad Mex Albury

The Ainsworths received a Golden Burrito Award as Mad Mex Franchisee of the Year at the Mad Mex annual conference, which was held as a virtual event because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The couple opened the Albury franchise on Kiewa Street in 2017 after previously operating six restaurants and a health food store in Albury-Wodonga over two decades.

"We'd forgotten how difficult it was to establish something new," Mr Ainsworth said with a laugh.

"So the first year was difficult, the second year started to show a bit more promise and then going into year three, we were really starting to get some momentum and then of course we got hit by all these external matters."

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 had been a rollercoaster for the industry overall, with the restaurant moving to takeaway only during the initial lockdown and then feeling the effects of the border closure.

Trade had been stronger in recent weeks for the Albury team, presently 10 people.

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The Mad Mex award was based on areas such as staff training, sales growth, customer feedback, internal audits and mystery shopper experiences.

"A couple of years ago when I first went to the first conference I thought 'Gee, I'd like to win one of those Golden Burritos', so we're really stoked for the recognition of the hard work we've put in," Mr Ainsworth said.

Mad Mex chief operating officer Therese Frangie said Mr and Mrs Ainsworth were "fantastic franchisees and brand advocates".

"They exceeded all restaurant KPI's this year, continually live our values, and are so very deserving of this award," she said.

Ms Frangie said the pandemic's effect on Mad Mex had been mixed, with central business district locations negatively impacted but many suburban locations thriving.

"We are supporting our team of franchisees and business managers with plans tailored to their current situation, maintaining the highest level of health standards and customer service," she said.