

The restaurant eventually started franchising, leading to different locations across 5 states, and by 2015, the company was sold to AUA Private Equity Firm.įor more information on Tijuana Flats, please visit the official website at What Makes Tijuana Flats Different?
The very first location was painted by artist Christopher Galipeau, who also painted 8 other locations until his death in 2008. All of the locations feature a huge mural painting by an artist, featuring some of the iconic images and symbols of the restaurant, Mexican cuisine, and American details. Tijuana Flats is widely known for its unique restaurant design. The company is also known for its wide range of in-house hot sauces with flavors that range from sweet to full-blown hot and spicy, which is called, "Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally." The restaurant serves Tex-Mex cuisine, specializing in a range of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, salads, quesadillas, and wings, with unique Mexican and Western flavors. The business was modeled after a Mexican restaurant in Gainesville, Florida called Burrito Brothers. With help from his dad who loaned him $20,000 to start the business, Wheeler opened the first location, with college students being one of the very first loyal customers of the brand. He just graduated from the University of Central Florida when he decided he wanted to open his own bar and restaurant. Tijuana Flats was founded by Brian Wheeler in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995.
