I have 2 different LaMars locations each within 2 miles of my home, in opposite directions. So pretty much no matter which way I leave my home in the morning, I'm driving by one or the other. Cue thisiswhyyourefat.com. They started here in KC like 50 years ago, but have branched out quite a bit in recent years. The original owner, Ray Lamar, died I want to say back in the 90s, and his two sons took over and have done a lot more expanding than Ray ever did.
As for Qdoba vs Chipotle:
I find that Chipotle has higher quality meat, the steak and barbacoa and pork at Chipotle is 2nd to none in the fast food Mexican world. However, Qdoba tries to offset that with variety. Taco salads, awesome spicy nacho cheese sauce, and a lot of other stuff that Chipotle just doesnt have on their menu. So Chipotle wins out for burritos and tacos(and that is all they do) but Qdoba is the better(and really only) choice between the two for quesadillas, nachos, taco salad, etc. Both have their time and place.
I also find that Freebirds(chain from Texas) is most similar to Qdoba. Their meat isn't as good as Chipotle but they have a MUCH bigger menu.