The American Who Turned One India Trip Into A Rs 338 Crore Restaurant Business

One Trip Changed Everything
An American student came to India as part of a college programme, but what he discovered stayed with him long after the trip ended. A simple observation about food turned into an idea. Years later, that idea would grow into one of India’s biggest Mexican restaurant chains. (Image: Pexels)

The Man Behind California Burrito
Bert Mueller first visited India in 2010 while studying music and public policy in the United States. During his stay, he noticed that people were becoming interested in Mexican food. He saw a gap in the market and decided to bring a quick-service Mexican restaurant concept to India. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

Why Bengaluru Was Chosen
After exploring different cities, Bert Mueller and his co-founders, Gaelan Draper and Dharam Khalsa, chose Bengaluru for their first outlet. They believed the city’s young professionals, diverse population, pleasant weather and affordable rentals made it the perfect place to start. The first California Burrito opened at Embassy Golf Links in October 2012. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

From Savings To Success
California Burrito was launched using the founders’ personal savings. Over time, Gaelan Draper and Dharam Khalsa exited the business, leaving Bert Mueller as the sole owner. What started as a single restaurant has now expanded to 128 outlets across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Gurugram and Chennai. (Image: X/@IndianTechGuide)

Made For Indian Tastes
Instead of serving only traditional Mexican food, California Burrito adapted its menu for Indian customers. It introduced more vegetarian options, with paneer becoming one of its most popular fillings. The company even referred to tortillas as “corn chapatis” to make the concept easier for Indian customers to understand. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

Keeping It Authentic
While the brand once tried India-inspired burritos, it later focused on authentic Mexican flavours. To maintain quality and reduce costs, California Burrito works with farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to grow ingredients like tomatillos, jalapeños and Hass avocados used in its recipes. (Instagram: theplateindia)

A Rs 338 Crore Business
The restaurant chain has grown rapidly over the years. According to the company, California Burrito reported Rs 338 crore in revenue in FY25. Its menu of burritos, tacos, rice bowls and nachos has helped it become one of India’s leading fast-casual Mexican food brands. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

Big Expansion Plans
California Burrito isn’t slowing down. After building a presence in five major cities, the company plans to open around 90 to 95 more outlets over the next two years. It is betting on India’s growing demand for organised quick-service restaurants and global cuisines. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

Building A Homegrown Brand
Although inspired by Mexican cuisine, California Burrito has grown into one of India’s largest homegrown Mexican restaurant chains. By blending authentic flavours with local preferences, the brand has created a loyal customer base and carved out a strong place in India’s food industry. (Image: californiaburrito official site)

From Student To Entrepreneur
What began as a college visit to India changed Bert Mueller’s life forever. A single idea, backed by careful planning and local understanding, grew from one Bengaluru outlet into a Rs 338 crore business with 128 restaurants, making California Burrito one of India’s biggest Mexican food success stories. (Image: californiaburrito official site)