With an anything goes approach to food, hot sauce and life in general Tijuana Flats has been providing over-the-top service and fresh, made-to-order Tex-Mex to guests for over 20 years. So much so that in 1995, he got the crazy idea to open his own despite never having worked in one. always free* and there is no pressure to sign up.. The companies were formed over a twenty-three year period with the most recent being incorporated four years ago in September of 2018. ", "Ring it up!" "I was honored and blessed to be a Blazer for 21 seasons, and fortunately I've accumulated some precious memories that will last a lifetime.". Today, the companys Longwood commissary produces more than 200 cases a month of 300 various sauces. Good food played a key role throughout Wheeler's adult life. In 1999, restaurant expert Camp Fitch joined the brand to become partner and chairman while Wheelers dad, Chester Wheeler, left his 30-year career with a Fortune 500 company to become CFO. Now you can order your favorites online! time we will discuss the following things: What property do you own and is that property at risk of being taken by a bankruptcy trustee. His father, Chester, left his position an executive position at Lockheed Martin to become CFO at Tijuana Flats. The franchise opportunities listed above are not related to or endorsed by Franchising.com or Franchise Update Media Group. Creating opportunities is how we grow. Unheard of anywhere else. allowing many Oregon residents to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions. Visit TijuanaFlats.comor call (844) 4TFLATS to start your order. Tijuana Flats was started in Winter Park, Florida. brian@brian-wheeler.com or using my Franchising.com is produced by Franchise Update Media. In 1998, Wheeler came to Portland, Oregon to take a job as radio play-by-play announcer for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. "It was a huge relief of stress for us. , FL Previous Managing Member for Tijuana Flats #171 LLC. Today, the fast-casual. Whenever former Blazer Nicholas Batum made a dunk, however, he replaced his "BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA!" Since then, Tijuana Flats has grown to 123 restaurants in four very lucky states! The author of Star Wars Multiverse says these movies are reflections of ourselves, Orange County leads warnings, but no Central Florida restaurants shut down last week, SeaWorld: Pipeline coaster opens May 27 with previews starting May 12, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Wheeler, 38, may be as surprised as anyone that his little burrito and taco shop, modeled on Burrito Brothers in Gainesville, has grown to a chain of 64 restaurants with locations in Indiana, Virginia, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania. Tijuana Flats has about 20 franchised restaurants, mainly outside of Florida. in sports broadcasting history, including Vin Scully of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chick Hearn of the Los Angeles Lakers. After a 13-year pause. Customers order at the front counter and are served after taking a seat. Judging from our eclectic "non-chain" vibe, it may seem like we don't have a care in the world. Looking back, I was in the right place at the right time, says the UCF alum. Back in 1995, this college kid, Brian Wheeler, walked into a bar. Heres what the data shows. The celebrity "wall of fame" was removed, and the murals were painted on either wood or concrete walls. This web page does not constitute a franchise offering or an offer to sell a franchise. But who are we at our core and what do we believe? Funny story, really. at (503) 284-0994, emailing me at P.O. always free* and there is no pressure to sign up.. Brian Wheeler is the founder and CEO of Tijuana Flats, a chain of Mexican restaurants mainly in Florida. I am licensed to practice law in Oregon and can only represent Oregon residents. [1], Wheeler grew up in Southern California, where he was exposed at an early age to some of the most revered voices[according to whom?] I thought I had to be there all the time and muscle my way through to make things happen, he says. Verified contact information for Brian Wheeler - Founder & Co-Owner, Tijuana Flats Burrito Company including email address, phone number and personality insights that will make your sales and marketing efforts much more effective. Brian Wheeler said he is leaving the company he founded to work on. The location in Cary, North Carolina, was updated in 2016 to reflect the "amped up" look. The remodel included a new mural, featuring lizards playing in a park. Although Tijuana Flats built up its presence across Florida and the Southeast to over 120 locations as of 2023, the company hadnt aggressively franchised. change will help many people with their fresh start after bankruptcy Brian Wheeler was just trying to replicate a favorite University of Florida eatery when he opened the first Tijuana Flats in 1995. That works to a point. Fitch came in and implemented financial and training systems. You must confer with an attorney to be sure you have current information. [1] Tijuana Flats restaurants are fast-casual hybrids with fresh food, hot sauce bars, art murals and off-beat culture. Like most college kids, our founder, Brian Wheeler, liked going to bars and restaurants. call with "BATUM-SHAKA-LAKA!". Today, the fast-casual Tex-Mex chain has 70 locations in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Removed celebrity autographs, industrial look, sci-fi murals return. We are not engaged in, supporting, or endorsing any specific franchise, business opportunity, company or individual. In '99, Brian's success caught the eye of restaurant industry hotshot Camp Fitch, who left retirement to become partner & chairman of Tijuana Flats. The company also has interest in opening in Tennessee. Tijuana Flats restaurants are fast-casual hybrids with fresh food, hot sauce bars, art murals and off-beat culture. And restaurants, too. 2023 Tijuana Flats. legal and ethical option for people that need help. See more Tijuana Flats November 12 at 9:50 AM Calling all Noles fans! When a new franchise restaurant gets close to opening, the companys training team will help train employees. The first Tijuana Flats Wheeler figured he needed $30,000 to fund. Theyve both seen so much and done so much, he says. Since day one, Tijuana Flats has always given back to the community. The company had 18 locations before expanding out-of-state in 2004. Mothers Day. Co-owner and chief operating officer (and UCF alum) Brian Wheeler is now the Maitland-based Tijuana Flats Burrito Co. chief executive officer according to the Orlando Business Journal and Orlando Sentinel. Wheeler, Brian C Wheeler and Bryan Wheeler, and perhaps a couple of other names. Please feel free to give me a call at 503-284-0994, text message me at No statement in this site is to be construed as a recommendation. He spends most of his time in the restaurants, working with employees, seeing the company at the ground level. Fitch had been regional vice president of Bennigans and president of the S&A; (Steak & Ale) Corporation, as well as a partner and owner of several Hops Grill & Brewing restaurants. Fortunately for Tex-Mex fans, Brians dad loaned him the money to open the first Tijuana Flats in Winter Park, Florida. We encourage prospective franchise buyers to perform extensive due diligence when considering a franchise opportunity. There is no recent news or activity for this profile. Number of Organizations that the person founded, Algorithmic rank assigned to the top 100,000 most active People, Where the person is located (e.g. Brian Wheeler is the founder and CEO of Tijuana Flats, a chain of Mexican restaurants mainly in Florida. R.W. Aug. 4, 2015. Let me explain how About a decade ago, Tijuana Flats CEO Joe Christina entered one of the companys restaurants in Florida for the first time. You may also want to look at my calling. They want more of it, Christina said. questions answered and make sure bankruptcy will work for you. By Terry Helms | August 18, 2009. In late 2015 the company was sold to AUA Private Equity firm. He wanted to be near his alma mater, UCF, but settled on a space in a strip mall farther down University Boulevard, something he now sees as a blessing he doesnt think he would have survived during the summer without the students business. In the last 20 years I have helped hundreds of clients successfully file bankruptcy in Oregon and receive their discharge. Its been my experience when the first [restaurant] does really well, franchisees want to grow. When you earn 30 points you can choose to redeem a Free Drink, or save to 60 points and redeem a Free Starter, or go for the stretch and reach 100 points to redeem a Free Entre. "We are pleased to be partnering with the founders of Tijuana Flats to help . Roughly 10 stores feature this design, including Bloomingdale, Nocatee, and Millennia. You can do that at one restaurant, but what happens when you have two or three and cant be there?. Up until 2016, every restaurant featured a wall covered with photos and autographs of celebrities who have visited the establishment. Howd Tijuana Flats become Tijuana Flats? Not bad for someone whose only culinary experience was working as a UPS driver making occasional deliveries to restaurants. benefit you. Subscribe to the Restaurant Dive free daily newsletter, Subscribe to Restaurant Dive for top news, trends & analysis, The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines, Frischs Big Boy Expands its Benefits Package With New DailyPay Partnership, Zero-Cost Media with In-Brand and In-Game Advertising Enhances Mobivity's Connected Rewards Ma, Leading Fast-Casual Chain WaBa Grill Chooses Interface to Transform Its Network and Voice Infr, Cartwheel and Zuppler Join Forces to Power Ordering and Delivery for Restaurant Delivery Servi, By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our, About a decade ago, Tijuana Flats CEO Joe Christina entered one of the companys restaurants in Florida for the first time. Where would you like to work? Restaurants tend to be 2,200 to 2,500 square feet and most are in-line sites within strip centers around heavily family-oriented communities. Fathers Day. [4] mandatory credit counseling requirement. because it will allow them to exempt more of their property, including tax [2] Wheeler was able to put distance between himself and Schonely by adhering to the promise made to his new employers to call games "like a fan would call them". Wheeler has seen the failures. Is your restaurant starting to franchise? As I am sure you understand, I can only offer to provide legal advice to people that participate in a telephone or office Tijuana Flats is widely known for the unique appearance of their restaurants. Secondly, the company mapped out where Tijuana Flats could grow and where customers were asking for restaurants. The information contained on this website does not and should not be construed as legal advice. be completed before you can file a bankruptcy case with the court. While I strive to keep the information current, you should not presume that all information is up to date since laws change Integrity guides us in how we run our restaurants, how we conduct ourselves as professionals and how we treat all of our business relationships. You were very professional and in no way made us ever feel like we were "bad Follow . Newer restaurants featured wall graffiti, purple & red paint, and darker lights. This is a full-blown, full-service restaurant with an extensive menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts, and from what I tasted, all quite . We look beyond the surface to tap into each persons potential, helping our people achieve great performance, advancement and financial growth. CARE HARD. Only problem was, Brian was broke. He was doing it on emotion and excitement and energy, Fitch says of Wheeler. D&B Business Directory Wheeler called the sauce Smack My Ass & Call Me Sally, which, to his surprise, the FDA approved. When I opened my second location I could handle that. The slow pace of a new restaurant allowed Wheeler the time to work out kinks and build sales. Franchise Update Media has its finger on the pulse of franchising with unrivalled audience intelligence and market driven data. I am very grateful and will recommend you to When the fourth restaurant opened, Wheelers father, Chester, who had retired from his job at Lockheed Martin, joined his sons company as chief financial officer. [1], Brian Wheeler began his radio career as a broadcaster for his alma mater, Loyola University Chicago, where he called play-by-play for soccer, women's softball, and basketball for station WLUW-FM.[2]. The CEO of Tijuana Flats Burrito Co., an Altamonte Springs-based restaurant chain, is stepping down after nearly 20 years. This has been such an incredible journey, says Brian Wheeler. and rebuilding the credit rating you deserve by calling me Theyre the main things we believe are important in life and behaviors we strive to achieve at all times. Our core values can answer that. While Tijuana Flats is not currently accepting new applicants on Franchising.com, these other similar opportunities are actively looking for new franchisees. We pursue actionable and meaningful ideas to enhance and evolve our overall guest experience and bottom line. In 2022 Tijuana Flats #2 in Hunt Club, Florida, was remodeled. you do not know much about me. [1] He worked for the NBA's Chicago Bulls during their first championship season. Much more. [13], Guests may also order a starter of chips with fresh or spicy salsa, queso, guacamole, or a trio of all three; a side of fresh or spicy salsa, pico de gallo, queso, guac, rice, or beans; and a dessert of churro bites or cookie dough flautas. frequently. My initial consultations are The new design features bright lighting, custom vinyl-printed tables, digital menu boards, decal/graphic covered walls, and a local inspired mural. Sci-Fi wall mural, hot sauce shelves, yellow walls. Burrito, taco, and wing meal kits are also available. During the 2018/19 season, Wheeler missed broadcasting the majority of the Trail Blazers games due to health issues. Luckily, his parents werent. Learn about how were giving donations and our time back to the people and programs in our community that benefit children and our military. help you through the process with understanding, compassion and skill. . Half of these location will be in Florida, Christina said, and the other half will be throughout the Southeast with a focus in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.. Even thinking about filing a bankruptcy brings up many emotions and worries, and trying to choose a All items except for the flat outrageous items come with their choice of toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, and jalapeos as well as fillings including classic shredded and blackened chicken, beef, steak, shrimp, refried and black beans. Brian Wheeler, commonly known by the nickname "Wheels", is a radio announcer and host best known for his work as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association from 1998 to 2019. I handle cases in the following counties: Multnomah, Companies Connections. We always embrace our neighbors and quickly lend our support in times of need.