Discover the Flavorful World of Tijuana Flats

For almost 30 years, Tijuana Flats, a beloved Tex-Mex restaurant chain, has captured the hearts and taste buds of guests with its vibrant atmosphere, generous portions, fresh and bold flavors and its commitment to giving back to the community. Today, there are 91 company-owned and franchised restaurants located in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee. Recently, the company has faced some financial challenges but is working on a turnaround, with a focus on revitalizing its restaurants and reinvigorating the customer experience.

The Origins of Tijuana Flats

Tijuana Flats was founded in 1995 by a University of Central Florida graduate with a passion for bold flavors and a desire to bring fresh, high-quality Tex-Mex cuisine to the masses. The first location opened in Winter Park, Florida, and quickly gained a reputation for its edgy décor, friendly service and delicious food.

The restaurant’s name, Tijuana Flats, is a nod to the lively border town of Tijuana, Mexico, known for its bustling street food scene and eclectic cultural mix. From the beginning, Tijuana Flats aimed to satisfy people’s cravings for freshly prepared food and colorful experiences piled high with big-hearted over-the-top service that stood out from other Tex-Mex chains.

Is Tijuana Flats a franchise?

Tijuana Flats has both company-owned and franchise restaurants. Of the 91 total restaurants, 65 are company-owned, and 26 are franchised. The company offers franchise opportunities to entrepreneurs, allowing them to own and operate their own Tijuana Flats locations​​.

What Makes Tijuana Flats Special?

Bold and Flavorful Menu

Tijuana Flats is known for its bold, flavorful menu that combines traditional Tex-Mex dishes with innovative twists. The menu features many options, from tacos and burritos to flautas and chimichangas, all made with fresh ingredients and served “Tijuana-Style” with jalapenos, onions, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Speaking of fresh, guests can enjoy tortilla chips, signature gold queso, salsa and guac made from scratch every morning. Some standout items include:

• Dos Tacos: Soft or crunchy tortillas filled with your choice of protein, topped with fresh veggies, cheese, and served with fresh chips.
• Burritos: Large, stuffed tortillas filled with rice, beans, protein, and a variety of toppings, served with a side of freshly made chips.
• Chimichangas: Deep-fried burritos that are crispy on the outside and packed with delicious fillings. Served with fresh chips.
• Quesadillas: Grilled tortillas stuffed with cheese and your choice of protein, served with sour cream, and guacamole with fresh chips on the side.
• Flautas: Rolled and fried tortillas filled with savory meats or veggies, served with dipping sauces and freshly made chips.

One of the unique aspects of Tijuana Flats is the “Hot Bar,” allowing guests to be the boss of the sauce. At the Hot Bar, guests can choose from an assortment of tangy, smoky, sweet, and spicy sauces to add a hint of heat, a touch of sweet or ignite a five-alarm fire.

Vibrant Atmosphere

Walking into a Tijuana Flats restaurant is like stepping into a fiesta. The walls are adorned with colorful murals, graffiti-style artwork and playful decorations that create a fun and energetic vibe. The lively music and friendly staff add to the welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends and family.

Community Engagement

Since day one, Tijuana Flats has been deeply committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through the “Just in Queso Foundation” the restaurant chain supports various charitable causes, including disaster relief efforts, education initiatives and assistance for military families. To date, the company has raised over $4M and counting and team members have donated countless hours to help those in need.

Is Tijuana Flats Closing?

Tijuana Flats current has 91 company-owned and franchised restaurants located in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee. The company was acquired by Flatheads, LLC in April 2024, with a focus on revitalizing its restaurants and reinvigorating the customer experience. The acquisition marks a new chapter for the company as it restructures and returns to growth.

Strong Brand Loyalty

Tijuana Flats has built a strong brand over the years, with a loyal customer base that continues to support the restaurant even during financial difficulties. Many customers have fond memories of dining at Tijuana Flats and appreciate the consistent quality and unique experience the restaurant offers. Our fan base has helped the company weather the storm and remain operational.

Commitment to Quality

There’s no cutting when it comes to quality here. Tijuana Flats has an unwavering commitment to serving up fresh, high-quality, made-from-scratch food bursting with bold flavors delivered with big-hearted over-the-top service. It’s what guests deserve and what they can expect every visit.

Strategic Business Decisions

Tijuana Flats filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2024. This was a strategic business decision to allow the company to restructure and emerge stronger and more resilient.

Flatheads, LLC acquired Tijuana Flats following the bankruptcy filing, marking a new and exciting chapter for the company. Flatheads is helping the company with its turnaround, focusing on revitalizing restaurants and reinvigorating the guest experience. This is a momentous time for Tijuana Flats as the company works to unlock the full potential of the brand and builds a bright future.

Continued Community Engagement

Tijuana Flats has never wavered in its commitment to community engagement, continuously fueling the fire of doing good. The “Just in Queso Foundation” embraces the power of queso and service, melting barriers to embrace a world that celebrates, supports and propels public servant and service member heroes to thrive.

Conclusion

Tijuana Flats is more than just a Tex-Mex restaurant chain. It is a vibrant, community-oriented establishment that is passionate about fresh, high-quality, made-from-scratch food that only gets better with additions from the Hot Bar. Despite recent financial challenges, Tijuana Flats remains open and continues to serve up generous portions and innovative combinations that delight every taste bud, making sure no one leaves hungry thanks to an outpouring of honestly good, made-the-way-they-love-it, wherever-they-want-it food.

There’s nothing else like being a Flathead. Once guests try it, they understand why people can’t stop taco-ing about it.