Mike’s Red Tacos is Heading to Florida with a 36-Unit Development Agreement for Tampa and Orlando

October 23, 2026 // FranchisePressReleases.com // TAMPA, Fla. – Mike’s Red Tacos has signed a 36-unit agreement with Built Different Brands to bring its signature drip to the greater Tampa and Orlando regions, as well as Florida’s East Coast.

The agreement, spearheaded by experienced operator and CEO of Built Different Brands Kal Gullapalli, is expected to bring Mike’s Red Tacos’ signature birria and famous red tacos to Florida over the next several years, with the first location planned for 2027. Gullapalli has spent his career building Built Different Brands into a multi-brand, multi-unit franchise platform. The company operates more than 80 locations across brands like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Marco’s Pizza and PopUp Bagels, with experience operating both household names and emerging concepts. The full team’s extensive restaurant ownership experience makes them a strong fit to lead Mike’s Red Tacos’ expansion into Florida.

“Birria and consome offer a craveable, shareable experience with genuine authenticity that has a real draw for consumers,” said Gullapalli. “In addition to the incredible menu, our team has already built the well-oiled machine needed to work through site selection and real estate considerations as we grow Mike’s Red Tacos across Florida. The Birria is enough to make this brand stand out, but it’s truly the people behind the company who will drive its success.”

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 three high-performing restaurants opened 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.

“Kal and the Built Different Brands team lead large-scale restaurant brands and have the industry know-how we look for in franchisees,” said Vincent Montanelli, President of Mike’s Red Tacos. “I’m confident residents across Florida will come to love Mike’s as much as we do. As we advance our nationwide franchise growth strategy, we’re focused on bringing experienced operators like Kal into the system who have the infrastructure and expertise to bring our vision to life. We look forward to seeing what his team accomplishes across Florida.”

As Mike’s Red Tacos gears up to bring 36 new locations to Florida, demand for the brand’s authentic birria and signature red tacos continues to soar. With more than 350 units already committed nationwide, territories are filling quickly, but opportunities to develop Mike’s Red Tacos 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. Our founder, Mike, who has been hands-on since day one, has created a proven model that resonates with both guests and operators. The brand is now seeking experienced franchise owners and restaurant operators with strong business backgrounds and the ability to scale multiple locations, ensuring that more communities can experience Mike’s unmatched flavor, hospitality, and guest-focused culture.

SOURCE Mike’s Red Tacos