I'm Bert Mueller, Founder of California Burrito. Ask me anything!
Hi Grapevine,
I'm Bert, Founder of California Burrito, India's favourite Mexican fast food chain!
I'd love to chat with you folks about my journey—from the challenges of starting a business in a new country to the excitement of building a beloved F&B brand. Whether you're curious about entrepreneurship, the restaurant business, or branding, I'd love to chat and answer your questions.
Ask me anything. I'll be back at 7 PM to begin answering! 🌮
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Hey @BertMueller
I’m @salt
The first time I came to Bangalore, for the first 3 months I was on a pure California Burrito diet. I love what you’ve been able to do.
I wanted to ask two questions:
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Has the temptation to raise VC money ever crossed your mind? (considering you’re in Bangalore after all)
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I have exhausted the entire menu now. Do you guys plan to launch new menu additions?
I tried the Al Pastor Chicken Bowl at the Indiranagar outlet but I couldn’t find it anywhere else. So I guess that is a new addition?
Finally, I ❤️ California Burrito. Do drop a coupon code if there’s a special one. 🙈✨
Yes, exclusive for GV users ☺️
@salt I love it! Thank you
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Yes, we thought about it seriously back in 2014-2018. One of my co-founders was quite keen on it although I was always apprehensive as the POV of the VCs usually ran counter to my own views so it didn’t feel like a solid foundation to build a business relationship on ("food tech" was very hot back then). We have 2 investors both of whom have built their own businesses and understand what it takes to build a business.
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We keep testing new proteins and products usually at Indira Nagar, EGL and RMZ Infinity. Once we have confidence that we have something very good on our hands we will launch. You should see some new things happening over the next 6 months
Is there any secret menu dish or an interesting customisation one can order?
I tend to order less after a few weeks of eating the same bowls. Any intentions of expanding the menu or having 1-2 temporary flavours all the time?
Also, big big fan 🙌
@Neo69 New flavours/proteins for sure (testing habanero, al pastor + few others), new nachos and quesadillas, and continued improvement on existing ingredients which will hopefully make you keep craving the same thing too ;)
Hey Bert, I got a couple of questions.
- Why did you choose India and why Mexican cuisine?
- What were the challenges you faced as a foreigner while setting up the business and how did you initially manage to convince local farmers to tie up with you?
- What's your advice to entrepreneurs who are planning to start a business in foreign countries?
- Do you have any plans on expanding with respect to the menu and/or locations anytime soon?
Thanks for bearing with me :)
@corporateRedemption 1. I wanted to study somewhere that was ulta to USA - and I had heard good things about India. Had a wonderful time here, saw Indians in Jaipur loved the Mexican food made by someone on my study abroad program and when I was done, decided I wanted to come back to India and business was the route. I had always loved restaurants 2. I think we were taken advantage of a lot in the first 18 months - but we were 22, no biz experience so I think anyone would have been in the same position. Farmers was a bit straightforward - we met a lot of coffee farmers at some conferences and gradually found a partner who was already growing Hass - seemed safest. 3. If you don’t like the country’s food, don’t do it 😂 my co-founder who didn’t like Indian food was here for a very short time. But in all seriousness, if you don’t love the country, the country probably also won’t love you back and food plays a big role. I think someone coming from outside should respect how things are done locally and not assume they know better - things may be a certain way for a reason. 4. Working on some menu changes, we keep testing new things. Should see us in Mumbai next year!
Hi Bert, big fan of Cali Burrito - I think I’ve some addiction issues with the crispy mushroom 🍄🟫
Running an F&B biz has always been a dream job since childhood - watching The Bear recently reignited that old dream!
What do you see as the next big trend or idea in the F&B industry, particularly in India?
@jinyang Glad to hear :)
I feel there is a trend toward "specialist" restaurants rather than multi cuisine. Korean as a cuisine seems trendy.
Hey @BertMueller love Cali Burrito, I have been surviving on this from the past 2 months, but still havent gotten bored of it! Just wanna say thanks :)
Also, which is your go-to pick from the menu?
@somerandomname I often have the BBQ chicken mini burrito but more likely, I'm eating new things in our Innovation Kitchen at our head office 😋
Thanks for doing this. I just came here to say people @ Grapevine ❤️ California burrito
@the_dark_knight ♥️ love you all!
Yo @BertMueller I have massive respect for you. I want to ask a non-CaliBurrito question:
- Being someone who has lived in the US, what are the things that you miss about the US and maybe share your fondest memory?
- Would you say that the American Dream is live and well? Asking for a niece who wants to study and move to the US.
- What is the best dish you've had in India and where? Also, the best dish you've had globally and where? Asking so that I can check those out during my travel across EU and NA next year.
@GrumpyIce Thank you :)
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I think the USA is a gorgeous country full of natural beauty and variety. My fondest memories would be summer up in Maine. Sometimes I miss friends and the social aspects of the USA
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I think it is compared to the opportunity in many other places in the world. Perhaps it's dimming slightly but at the end of the day it's still a great place to start a venture
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That's super tough! I love Andhra cuisine to be honest - I love the chili chicken at Nagarjuna. Remembering Maine summers brings me back to fresh lobster
Hi Bert, How did you approach customer acquisition in the initial stages of your company's operations?
@sober Real estate - we just picked real estate we felt was closest to customers who had tried the product in the USA before. But if we were starting now, it would be much different given the mix of delivery
Can you try & launch quinoa/millet based bowls?
@PM_job_dilao_yojana We've tested brown rice in the past but very few people order it and then wastage for the rice is high. Will try again this year.
Hey Bert,
I have one suggestion: Please open your outlets early. :') I have often wanted to order Cali Burrito for breakfast but I end up ordering from somewhere else.
Like on Sundays me and my girlfriend go to Cubbon Park. We usually end up feeling hungry and craving Cali Burrito. So we have to wait till 11am and that's when the store opens.
Also also also, Can we get more menu options please? I have tried everything now.
Please take my money. xD joke
@Jackietrader Aha! Which outlet should we try this in first?
working on menu options 🙏