Latest news with #SouthernCalifornia-style
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This 35-year-old left the US for India to start a ‘Cali-style' burritos business — now it brings in $23M/year
Introducing burritos to the land of biryani is a genuinely unconventional business idea. Yet, this experiment has turned into a massive success for 35-year-old American entrepreneur Bert Mueller. In a recent interview with CNBC Make It, the young entrepreneur described how he discovered that Mexican cuisine was a perfect match for the Indian palate, which convinced him to launch California Burrito, a fast-casual Southern California-style restaurant, in 2012. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The company now has 103 locations across the country and generates $23 million in annual revenue. California Burrito's rise holds three powerful lessons every entrepreneur and investor should take notes on. Here's the secret sauce. Mueller told CNBC that he first visited India as a foreign student. In 2021, just 46,000 international students were enrolled in Indian colleges, according to the British Council, making it one of the less obvious choices for studying abroad. But for Mueller, that was part of the appeal. 'I wanted to go somewhere that was radically different than the U.S. and so I decided that India was the place to be given that, first off, I loved Indian food and second, people spoke English,' he told CNBC, calling the decision 'contrarian.' This contrarian mindset has helped many investors and entrepreneurs uncover hidden gems and rare opportunities in unlikely places. By keeping an open mind and considering unconventional options, you could boost your chances of finding a lucrative niche that few others have considered. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Another secret to Mueller's success is his cautious approach to building a business. He told CNBC that his initial estimate for startup costs was $100,000, but he raised nearly $250,000 from friends and family 'to be careful.' These additional funds gave him and his team much-needed flexibility to launch California Burritos and mitigate the risks of introducing an unproven concept to a new market. This approach mirrors Warren Buffett's investing principle of working with a 'margin of safety.' No one can predict the future with precision, so by raising more funds than you need or investing at a lower valuation than you think is fair could be the best way to mitigate unforeseen risks. Mueller admitted that his journey had its fair share of setbacks. He told CNBC that the first area manager he hired turned out to be corrupt and was colluding with vendors for kickbacks. The betrayal could have derailed the entire venture while it was still in its infancy, but Mueller says giving up wasn't an option. 'My mom is a marathon runner, and I have that trait in me,' he said. 'You have to keep going until you've reached the finish line. And I never felt like quitting.' According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, this ability to deal with failure and persevere is a key trait of high achievers in various fields. Her research indicates that grit — the ability to persevere despite challenges — is a greater predictor of success than social intelligence, IQ or even talent. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research found that undergraduate students with higher levels of grit had greater intentions of launching their own business after graduation. Just like Mueller, if you're considering a new venture or a new opportunity, the ability to deal with setbacks and keep pushing forward despite adversity is a key skill you'll need to develop. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From college curiosity to culinary empire: The rise of California Burrito in India
Bert Mueller, founder of California Burrito In 2010, Bert Mueller arrived in India with a suitcase, a curious palate, and absolutely no idea that his life was about to change forever. Mueller credits his decision to study abroad in India to his 'contrarian' nature. 'I wanted to go somewhere that was radically different than the US and so I decided that India was the place to be given that, first off, I loved Indian food and second, people spoke English,' he said. Back then, he was just a college kid studying abroad, a music and public policy major from The College of William & Mary. He brought snacks from home to share with his Jaipur host family, hoping to bond over flavors from the US, Mueller told CNBC. 'They didn't like it very much,' Mueller recalled with a laugh. But one of his classmates of Mexican heritage had the exact opposite experience. He brought homemade Mexican food, chips, salsa, beans, and tortillas , which was a hit in the Indian family. 'Something clicked in my head that maybe this was something I could do, I could bring Mexican-inspired cuisine to India,' he added. After completing his degree in 2011, he returned to India at age 22 with a bold plan to introduce Southern California-style burritos to a country that had little exposure to Mexican cuisine. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo He began California Burrito with two of his childhood friends who have since left the company and returned to the USA. The group of three picked Bangalore as the first location for their restaurant, a tech hub he chose for its globally-minded residents, many of whom had traveled abroad and tasted Mexican or Tex-Mex food. Muller raised $250,000 with the help of friends and family. That first store earned about $500,000 in its first year, and the original investment was enough to launch two more outlets. Since then, California Burrito has expanded to major Indian cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi, and the company brought in $23 million in revenue in 2024. Betrayal behind the counter The journey wasn't without setbacks. 'The biggest challenge was that the person we had hired at the beginning to run our entire operation and help us out was a very crooked individual,' he shared. Early on, Mueller hired a local manager who turned out to be sabotaging the business — colluding with suppliers to overcharge, tipping off inspectors, and eventually trying to start his own rival burrito restaurant. Despite the betrayal, Mueller persevered. 'My mom is a marathon runner, and I have that trait in me,' he said. 'You have to keep going until you've reached the finish line. And I never felt like quitting.' Mueller initially planned to stay in India for just five years, but after that period, he realized it would be more beneficial for his business if the company started growing its own ingredients. Building more than a brand Today, California Burrito sources chicken from five different suppliers and has planted 500 avocado trees. Unfortunately, some of these trees were trampled by elephants. The company also attempted to grow tomatillos in Karnataka, but a massive rainstorm destroyed the entire crop. This focus on farming made Mueller begin to think long-term, shifting his perspective to building the business for decades. Twelve years after opening his first outlet, Mueller has no intention of leaving India. His journey with California Burrito is a testament to how a simple idea born from cultural exchange can blossom into a successful business on foreign soil. His story reflects both India's evolving taste for global cuisines and its welcoming landscape for bold, entrepreneurial ventures.
Mint
05-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
US man moved to Bengaluru at 22 to sell burritos - his brand now makes $23 million a year: 'Nothing is predictable'
During a study abroad programme in India in 2010, Bert Mueller spent part of his time living with a host family in Jaipur. Alongside fellow international students, he brought along some food from the United States to share with his host family - but the reception wasn't quite what he hoped. 'They didn't like it very much,' Mueller was quoted as saying by CNBC. In contrast, one of his classmates had a much more enthusiastic response to the food she offered. 'One of my friends was of Mexican origin and she would make chips and salsa and beans and tortillas,' he explains. 'One day I came over to her house and I saw she'd made this food for her family she was living with and they were loving the food.' At the time, Mueller had no plans of becoming an entrepreneur - his academic background at The College of William & Mary was in music and public policy. But seeing a family embrace Mexican-style cuisine for the first time sparked an idea. 'Something clicked in my head that maybe this was something I could do — I could bring Mexican-inspired cuisine to India,' he told the outlet. After completing his studies, Mueller, then 22, returned to India and launched California Burrito, a fast-casual restaurant serving Southern California-style burritos. Twelve years on from opening the inaugural outlet, the brand now boasts 103 locations across India. Mueller says his decision to choose India for his study abroad experience stemmed from his desire to go against the grain. 'I wanted to go somewhere that was radically different than the US and so I decided that India was the place to be given that, first off, I loved Indian food and second, people spoke English,' he explains. While some peers struggled to adjust to the cultural shift, Mueller embraced it. 'Nothing is predictable,' he says. 'Every day is different and so if you find monotony dull, if you find comfort boring, then India is a perfect place to be.' Following his graduation in 2011, he made the bold decision to pursue his restaurant vision and introduce Mexican cuisine to the Indian market. Together with two childhood friends — who later stepped away from the venture and returned to the US - Mueller selected Bengaluru as the site of their first outlet. The city's status as an IT hub made it an ideal location, as many locals had travelled to the United States and were familiar with Mexican-inspired food. Mueller initially estimated he'd need $100,000 to launch the first restaurant but opted to raise $250,000 from family and friends to be on the safe side. In its first year, the Bengaluru outlet generated approximately $500,000 in revenue, as per documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. That initial funding also allowed him to open two additional outlets. Since its founding in 2012, California Burrito has expanded to cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi. In 2024, the brand reported $23 million in revenue. 'I never felt like quitting' The road to success wasn't without complications. One of Mueller's earliest setbacks involved a key hire. 'The biggest challenge was that the person we had hired at the beginning to run our entire operation and help us out was a very crooked individual,' he says. Mueller had brought on board a former area manager from another chain, whose background seemed promising. 'He was very well educated,' he explains. 'He spoke great English, so it was easy to communicate with him. And he was very helpful. He would drive us around to find vendors. He would recommend vendors. It made our lives much easier because we were 22-years-old in this foreign land with no knowledge of how to operate.' However, it soon became clear the man was exploiting the business. He was charging vendors double, alerting government inspectors, and eventually attempted to launch his own burrito business — which ultimately failed. Despite the betrayal, Mueller remained focused. 'My mom is a marathon runner, and I have that trait in me,' he says. 'You have to keep going until you've reached the finish line. And I never felt like quitting.' Though he initially intended to stay in India for only five years, that plan evolved. By the end of that period, it became evident that the business needed to control more of its own supply chain — including ingredient production. Today, the company works with five chicken suppliers and has planted 500 avocado trees — though some were unfortunately trampled by elephants. Efforts to cultivate tomatillos in Karnataka were also derailed by severe rainfall. These agricultural endeavours led Mueller to shift his mindset. Investing in the farming side of the business prompted him to begin 'thinking in decades,' he says. As for returning to the US Mueller doesn't see that happening anytime soon. 'I don't have an exit date planned in my mind. I love India. India feels like home to me and being home, you don't think so much about leaving.' First Published: 5 May 2025, 07:24 AM IST
New York Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
We reviewed Yankee Stadium's Austin Wells-inspired burrito so you don't have to
The Wells Favvurito Price: $12.28 Where to buy: Sections 110, 217, 321 Availability: All Yankee Stadium day games YSC+: 65* NEW YORK — I was hoodwinked, bamboozled and led astray by the New York Yankees' marketing team. Have you ever watched a food commercial and immediately thought, 'Wow. I need to go to this restaurant as soon as possible and order this?' That's exactly what happened when Yankees catcher Austin Wells reviewed three different breakfast burritos on X — with the highest-rated one to be sold at Yankee Stadium day games. The winner featured a flour tortilla, scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, maple city fries, cheddar jack cheese and a side of chipotle aioli. Advertisement This season, on his Instagram page, Wells has been reviewing the breakfast burritos of all the MLB ballparks the Yankees visit, so the team smartly leaned into a clever marketing opportunity with one of their young, homegrown players. I'm not a food expert, but I may have the most stories on The Athletic related to food. I've reviewed everything from an iconic Atlanta strip club's chicken wings to Yankee Stadium's newest concession items. The burritos Wells reviewed looked spectacular and filling. The burrito that the Yankees are calling 'The Wells Favvurito,' which I ordered before the Yankees' 3-2 loss to the Rays on Saturday, was the opposite. I reached out to the owner of Electric Burrito, Alex Thaboua, who grew up in San Diego and now runs the East Village spot that specializes in Southern California-style burritos, to ask what makes a good breakfast burrito. 'It is the crispy fries, the mushy beans, fried eggs — not fluffy eggs,' Thaboua said. 'You need a little acid in there from salsa or maybe a little lime juice. It's basic cooking rules. You add different textures. You need a good tortilla. That's a big part of it. That tortilla can't be too doughy. That's usually the biggest component, that and scrambled eggs is where people screw up breakfast burritos. It's too much fluff. It's like a McDonald's breakfast that cost like 50 cents back in the day.' The Wells Favurrito. Quite small. $12.28 — Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) May 3, 2025 The Wells Favvurito is $12.28, which would not be exorbitant for stadium food, except it's tiny and not remotely close to being filling. Cut into the burrito, and you'll be searching for all of the breakfast sausage that was visible in Wells' camera-ready version. In the burrito I ordered, there may have been a total of five cut-up pieces of sausage that entirely lacked seasoning. The eggs mirrored those powdered ones you'd find at a Fairfield Inn continental breakfast. The potatoes were interesting in that they clearly had a maple syrup taste to them, but they were not crispy. The tortilla was the biggest crime of the burrito. It tasted as if it came straight out of the plastic wrapper. Advertisement Perhaps the sausage, eggs and potatoes could have been masked better by a better tortilla, but alas. What made up for the blandness of the burrito was the side of chipotle aioli. The burrito could be saved if the stadium lathers the chipotle sauce inside the burrito, but a good burrito should not require a dipping sauce that turns into the highlight of the meal. The burrito is not worth the price, considering you'll be hungry about 10 minutes later, and I'm only speaking from experience here. Yankee Stadium has several good concession options, but this was a miss. YES Network's Jeff Nelson also tried the burrito and gave it a less-than-inspiring review. 'I'm glad it wasn't a 'flavvurito,' because it didn't have a whole lot of it,' Nelson said during Saturday's game broadcast. I showed Wells, who homered in the defeat, the picture of my burrito after the game and he agreed that it, 'looks nothing like my burrito.' He said he'll have to put a word in with the higher-ups. Let's hope, because for now, his name is attached to a mediocre burrito. * Baseball loves its 'plus' stats, so in my past rankings, we've used the Yankee Stadium Concessions+ metric, or YSC+, where the average rating is 100 just as it is for wRC+ or OPS+. For example, a 125 YSC+ is 25 percent better than your average concession stand item. (Top photo of the The Wells Favvurito, which is not our favvurito: Chris Kirschner / The Athletic)
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Kannada is a wonderful language; learn and speak it
Bengaluru: Bengaluru is the America of India. Kannada is a wonderful language. Everyone who comes here should try to learn and speak Kannada. This was not said by a person from Karnataka! Not even from Bangalore! A video of American-born businessman and California Burrito founder Bert Mueller calling for people to learn Kannada is now going viral. Bert Mueller, who left America at the age of 13 and came to India, studied here, started a Southern California-style burrito restaurant and emerged as a successful entrepreneur, spoke highly of Kannada in an interview. Whenever we come to a place that is not ours, I think we should try to learn a little about the culture of that place. I speak a little bit of Kannada. Kannada is a wonderful language. Everyone who comes to Karnataka should learn Kannada. They should speak it, said Bert Mueller. Bert Mueller also said that he had seen some of the films of Kannada actors Ambareesh and 35-year-old Mueller had come to India in 2010 for a study tour. While many of his friends were looking for opportunities in Europe and Spain, Mueller decided to stay in Bengaluru. He later became a successful businessman by opening a California Burrito restaurant here, a report said. Bert Mueller likes to call Bengaluru the 'America of India'. He says Kannada is a wonderful language, and people who come here should try to learn and speak Kannada.
