8 months ago
California Burrito Expands Dine-In Amid India's Mexican Food Boom
California Burrito is a Mexican food chain in India that wants to grow its dine-in restaurants.
Right now, they have 128 stores in five cities and make a lot of money from deliveries, but they want more people to come and eat in their restaurants.
The founder, Bert Mueller, thinks this is important for their growth.
They plan to open more stores in the next few years.
They have investors like Zoho and Elevation Capital.
Different cities in India like different things—Chennai likes eating in restaurants, while Delhi prefers delivery.
The company is doing well and has been invited to open stores outside India, but they are focusing on India for now.
California Burrito aims to expand its dine-in channel, shifting marketing focus to attract more in-store customers.
The chain has 128 stores across five cities and plans to open 40-45 new stores next year.
Revenue for FY25 is ₹338 crore, with a 60-40 delivery-dine-in ratio.
Founder Bert Mueller emphasizes a steady, city-by-city expansion strategy.
The brand has received global expansion offers but is focusing on the Indian market.
- Who
- California Burrito, a Mexican quick service restaurant chain in India, founded by Bert Mueller
- What
- Expansion of dine-in channel and marketing focus on dine-in experiences
- Where
- Operating in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Gurugram, and Chennai
- When
- Current expansion plans announced in January 2026, with 40-45 new stores planned for the next year
- Why
- To grow the dine-in channel, which is seen as a more defensible position, and to cater to India's rising love for Mexican food
Key facts
- Founder
- Bert Mueller
- Current Stores
- 128 across 5 cities
- Revenue (FY25)
- ₹338 crore
- Expansion Plan
- 40-45 stores next year, 50 the year after
- Investors
- Zoho, GoFrugal, SNAM Group, Elevation Capital
- Dine-In vs Delivery Ratio
- 60-40 (delivery-dine-in)
- Unique City Preferences
- Chennai prefers dine-in, Delhi prefers delivery
Quotes
Bert Mueller
Founder of California Burrito and an American entrepreneur who started the Mexican food chain in India in 2012.
“It’s a tough thing to get people to come and dine at your store, but we think that’s a more defensible position to be in. As a growing brand, you don’t want to neglect the dine-in piece.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Our approach has fundamentally been that we want to grow our dine-in channel more. And so our marketing monies were shifted two years ago to focus really on dine-in.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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