Mike’s Red Tacos, the celebrated San Diego-born beef Birria brand named as a Yelp Top 100 U.S. Restaurant (2023), has signed an 18-unit agreement with franchise ownership group JM Foods to bring the concept to Los Angeles and Orange County.
The agreement, led by experienced restaurant owners and operators Victor Fiss and John Thomas, will grow the brand’s presence in two key Southern California markets. The partners behind JM Foods have worked together for more than 30 years and bring extensive franchising and operational expertise to the venture. Currently, they own and operate 25 Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the region, with eight additional units in development. The group’s deep market knowledge and proven multi-unit success make them a strong fit to lead Mike’s Red Tacos’ expansion across the LA and Orange County metro area.
“After visiting Mike’s Red Tacos and trying the food for ourselves, we knew right away it was something special,” said Thomas. “The birria was incredible, and for us, the food always has to speak for itself before we consider bringing a concept to our community. We were also impressed by the people behind the brand and the care they put into every detail. Mike’s is a natural fit for our family of restaurants, and we’re excited to introduce a fresh, flavorful dining experience to Orange County and Los Angeles County that we believe guests will truly love.”
The brand, first popularized in 2021 as a thriving food truck, carries a creative “the dip is worth the drip” tagline. It is best known for its craveable Birria, signature consome dip and bold visual restaurant identity. As a result of two high-performing restaurants open within the past four years, Mike’s Red Tacos has attracted a social media following, especially with Millennial and Gen Z customers who value authenticity but also want a fun, approachable and shareable experience.
“We’re proud to welcome the partners behind JM Foods to the Mike’s Red Tacos family as they expand our authentic birria experience across Los Angeles and Orange County,” said Vince Montanelli, President of Mike’s Red Tacos. “John and Victor bring decades of experience operating successful restaurants in Southern California, along with a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong teams and serve communities well. Their track record of running high-performing locations and growing thoughtfully over time gives us tremendous confidence that they’ll introduce Mike’s the right way — with a focus on quality, hospitality and creating a destination guests are excited to visit again and again.”
As Mike’s Red Tacos gears up to bring 18 new locations to the OC and LA metropolitan areas, demand for the brand’s authentic birria and signature red tacos continues to soar. With more than 200 units already committed nationwide, territories are filling quickly, but opportunities to develop Mike’s Red Tacos remain available in major markets across the country for experienced operators eager to join one of the fastest-growing concepts in the industry.Built on quality, community, and a truly distinctive product, Mike’s Red Tacos has grown from a single food truck into a movement. Founder Mike Touma, who has been hands-on since day one, has created a proven model that resonates with both guests and operators. The brand is now seeking experienced franchise owners and restaurant operators with strong business backgrounds and the ability to scale multiple locations, ensuring that more communities can experience Mike’s unmatched flavor, hospitality, and guest-focused culture.
For more information about Mike’s Red Tacos, visit www.mikesredtacos.com. Connect with the brand’s pages for more details by visiting LinkedIn and Instagram.
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