Mike’s Red Tacos Announces Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement to Open 18 Restaurants Across Los Angeles and Orange County

May 29, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // LOS ANGELES – Mike’s Red Tacos has signed an 18-unit agreement with franchise ownership group JM Foods to bring the concept to Los Angeles and Orange County.

The agreement, led by experienced restaurant owners and operators Victor Fiss and John Thomas, was arranged with JM Foods. The partners have worked together for more than 30 years and bring franchising and operational expertise to the venture.

“After visiting Mike’s Red Tacos and trying the food for ourselves, we knew right away it was something special,” said Thomas. “The birria was incredible, and for us, the food always has to speak for itself before we consider bringing a concept to our community. We were also impressed by the people behind the brand and the care they put into every detail. Mike’s is a natural fit for our family of restaurants, and we’re excited to introduce a fresh, flavorful dining experience to Orange County and Los Angeles County that we believe guests will truly love.”

The brand, first popularized in 2021 as a thriving food truck, carries a creative “the dip is worth the drip” tagline. It is best known for its craveable Birria, signature consome dip and bold visual restaurant identity. As a result of two high-performing restaurants open within the past four years, Mike’s Red Tacos has attracted a social media following, especially with Millennial and Gen Z customers who value authenticity but also want a fun, approachable and shareable experience.

“We’re proud to welcome the partners behind JM Foods to the Mike’s Red Tacos family as they expand our authentic birria experience across Los Angeles and Orange County,” said Vince Montanelli, President of Mike’s Red Tacos. “John and Victor bring decades of experience operating successful restaurants in Southern California, along with a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong teams and serve communities well. Their track record of running high-performing locations and growing thoughtfully over time gives us tremendous confidence that they’ll introduce Mike’s the right way — with a focus on quality, hospitality and creating a destination guests are excited to visit again and again.”

As Mike’s Red Tacos continues its growth in the region, demand for the brand’s authentic birria and signature red tacos continues to soar. With more than 200 units already committed nationwide, territories are filling quickly, and opportunities remain available in major markets across the country for experienced operators eager to join one of the fastest-growing concepts in the industry.

Built on quality, community, and a truly distinctive product, Mike’s Red Tacos has grown from a single food truck into a movement. Founder Mike Touma, who has been hands-on since day one, has created a proven model that resonates with both guests and operators. The brand now highlights strong business leadership and scalable growth across multiple locations, ensuring that more communities can experience Mike’s unmatched flavor, hospitality, and guest-focused culture.

SOURCE Mike’s Red Tacos