We’ve raised over $4,000,000 and counting, and our team members have donated countless hours to help those in need.
But in January 2007, we created the Just in Queso Foundation to give back even more. Since day one, Tijuana Flats has always given back to the community. Since our first restaurant, Tijuana Flats has grown to 130 restaurants in six very lucky states. We may be fast casual, but everyone at Tijuana Flats takes the time to truly care. Which is why we attract the best-of-the-best team members who engage with guests from the time they walk in to the time they leave. But the truth is, we care deeply about the people in our company, restaurants and communities.
Judging from our eclectic “non-chain” vibe, it may seem like we don’t have a care in the world. Remember the dad who reluctantly loaned his son $20K? Yup, Chester Wheeler left a 30-year career at a Fortune 500 company to become CFO of Tijuana Flats. In 1999, Brian’s success caught the eye of former restaurant industry hotshot Camp Fitch, who left retirement to become partner & chairman of Tijuana Flats. Turns out, the burning was just hot sauce he’d eaten, but Brian saw it as a sign and created his own line of hot sauces shortly thereafter-the “Smack My Ass & Call Me Sally” brand, which includes some of the hottest sauces in the world. While most college grads (yes, Brian graduated from UCF, or so he says) would be stoked just to own their own restaurant, deep down Brian had a burning desire to do more. And after much begging and pleading, his dad loaned him $20,000 & Brian opened the first Tijuana Flats in Winter Park, Florida. So Brian decided to open his own restaurant despite having never even worked in one before (brilliant, right?). But over time, the good times got the best of him and just going out no longer cut it. Back in 1995, this college kid, Brian Wheeler, walked into a bar. How’d Tijuana Flats become Tijuana Flats? Funny story, really.
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