Restaurant operator Michael McGuire has signed a 15 unit franchise agreement with fast growing taco brand Mike’s Red Tacos to expand the concept across Minnesota.
The development deal will be led by McGuire and his family company 825 Ventures, which plans to open the restaurants over the next five years across the Twin Cities and surrounding markets. The expansion will introduce the San Diego born birria focused concept to the state for the first time.
McGuire is an experienced multi-unit operator who already runs more than 23 locations of Jersey Mike’s Subs in Minnesota, with additional outlets in development. He will lead the new taco venture alongside his sons, Kavrin and Dillon, with the family focusing on community driven restaurants and strong team culture.
The agreement marks the first multi-unit franchise deal for Mike’s Red Tacos as the brand begins scaling its national franchising strategy. Company president Vincent Montanelli said the McGuire family represents the type of experienced operators the company is targeting as it expands into new markets.
Founded by entrepreneur Mike Touma, the brand started as a food truck in San Diego and quickly gained popularity for its beef birria tacos served with consommé dipping broth, often described as the brand’s signature “red tacos.” The concept opened its first brick and mortar restaurant in 2022 and has built a strong social media following around the rising popularity of birria in the fast casual segment.
Mike’s Red Tacos is currently pushing an aggressive national expansion strategy, with more than 200 franchise locations already in development across the United States as it targets experienced multi-unit franchise partners.
The Minnesota deal is expected to play a key role in the brand’s Midwest growth as it moves beyond its California base and introduces the birria concept to new regional markets.
