Tortilla (restaurant chain)

Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC
Company typePublic limited company
LSE: MEX
Founded2007
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Number of locations
53
Area served
United Kingdom, UAE, Saudi Arabia
Key people
Brandon Stephens, Jennifer Stephens (founders), Richard Morris (CEO), Andrew Naylor (CFO), Jason Thomas (COO),
ProductsMexican
Websitewww.tortilla.co.uk

Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC (branded as Tortilla) is a Mexican fast-food restaurant chain based in the United Kingdom, founded by Brandon and Jennifer Stephens[1] in London, 2007.

As of October 2022, it has 84 branches in the UK.[2] Internationally, Tortilla operates in the Middle East, with 10 stores in Dubai and Saudi Arabia through an exclusive franchise partnership with Eathos.[3]

History

The first Tortilla restaurant opened in Islington in 2007. Tortilla became the UK’s largest fast-food Mexican brand.[4] Tortilla offers dine in, self-serve, take away, click and collect, and delivery.

Tortilla's growth was supported by a steady expansion across the UK, including 10 sites in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, a cloud kitchen estate and exclusive delivery partnership with Deliveroo.[5]

In 2019, Tortilla expanded its footprint to include some of the UK’s most prominent travel hubs, including the Euston railway station, through a partnership with SSP Group.[6] In October 2021, Tortilla announced the launch of two new sites in Gatwick Airport and Leeds Skelton Lake Services.[7]

In May 2021, Tortilla opened a site in Chessington World of Adventures Resort, through a partnership with Merlin Entertainments.[8]

Over the years, Tortilla won several industry awards, including:

  • QSR Media UK Centegra Awards 2020 - Best Marketing Campaign[9]
  • Restaurant Marketer & Innovator 2020 - 30 under 30[10]
  • R200: Best Value Restaurant Chain Over 20 Sites 2018[11]
  • FEJ Awards 2018 Operator of the year, best new kitchen concept[12]

In May 2022, Tortilla announced it has acquired the Mexican restaurant chain Chilango Ltd from the investment company RDCP Group Ltd., for £2.8 million.[13]

Values

The brand only uses grass-fed British Isle brisket in its slow-cooked Barbacoa, as well as Red Tractor approved pork,[14] and is a signatory of the Better Chicken Commitment.[15] Meanwhile all vegetarian and vegan dishes are Vegan & Vegetarian Society approved.[16]

In January 2021, to aid youth employment, Tortilla has offered 50 new placements as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.[17]

References

  1. ^ Clawson, Trevor. "An American In London - From Silicon Valley To The UK Restaurant Trade". Forbes. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Tortilla Mexican Grill plc, Interim results, 3 October 2022" (PDF). Tortilla Group PLC. 4 October 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ "AIM Admission Document" (PDF). Tortilla Group PLC. 8 October 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ Lutrario, Joe (12 November 2019). "Wrap stars how Tortilla won the burrito wars". Big Hospitality. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  5. ^ Lutrario, Joe (23 August 2021). "Tortilla strengthens delivery partnership with Deliveroo". Big Hospitality. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Tortilla signs development agreement with ssp". Tortilla. 2 December 2019. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Tortilla Launches Two Further Sites Through Strategic Partnership with SSP" (PDF). Tortilla Group PLC. 9 September 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Tortilla joins Merlin Entertainments" (PDF). Tortilla. 6 May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Winners inaugural qsr media uk centegra awards announced". QSR Media. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. ^ "30 Under 30 - Restaurant Marketer & Innovator". Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ^ Lutrario, Joe (4 December 2018). "Restaurant's R200 Awards winners announced". Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  12. ^ Seymour, Andrew (6 June 2018). "FEJ Awards 2018 Winner Operator of the Year - Best New Kitchen Concept". Food Service Equipment Journal. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  13. ^ "IN BRIEF: Tortilla Mexican Grill acquires Mexican food chain Chilango | Financial News". www.lse.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Food You Can Count On". Tortilla. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Better Chicken Commitment". Tortilla. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Food You Can Count On". Tortilla. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Tortilla Aids Youth Employment With Kickstart Scheme" (PDF). Tortilla. 26 January 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
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