Why He Left the U.S. to Build a $23M Mexican Food Business in Bengaluru

May 12, 2025

4

min read

W

hen Bert Mueller, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Silver Spring, Maryland, first set foot in India during a college study abroad program, he didn’t just find a new country—he found a calling.

India, with its vibrant unpredictability and kaleidoscope of cultures, was unlike anything he’d known. For someone who thrived on difference and shunned monotony, India was the perfect canvas.

In December 2011, Bert made Bengaluru his home, and over the next decade, he built California Burrito, a Mexican-inspired restaurant chain that grew from a single store to 103 locations, generating $23 million in revenue by 2024.

This is the story of his journey, the lessons learned, and the unique challenges of building a business in India.

The Spark: Discovering a Gap in the Market

Bert’s journey began with a simple observation during his study abroad stint. While living with Indian families, he noticed a friend of Mexican descent cooking for her host family, who loved the food.

This sparked an idea: Mexican cuisine, barely present in India at the time, could fill a gap. In 2011, Taco Bell was the only notable player in the Mexican food space, and even by 2024, few had ventured into this niche. Bert saw an opportunity to bring fresh, approachable Mexican-inspired flavors to India.

With a double major in music and public policy from the College of William & Mary, Bert wasn’t your typical restaurateur. But his contrarian streak and frugal mindset—honed by a middle-class upbringing—made him resilient.

He returned to India with a vision, raising $250,000 from friends and family (well above the $100,000 needed) to open the first California Burrito store in Bengaluru in October 2012.

The Learning Curve: Letting India Be India

Starting a business in India is no small feat, especially for a foreigner. Bert describes India as a “learning curve” layered atop another learning curve—first, adapting to the country’s chaotic rhythm, then navigating its business landscape.

“Nothing is predictable. Every day is different,” he says. Success demanded patience, flexibility, and an acceptance of India’s unique pace.

“India favors the patient,” Bert notes, a mantra that guided him through bureaucratic hurdles, supply chain challenges, and even health setbacks like dengue and typhoid in 2024.

The biggest lesson? Letting India be India. Instead of fighting the unpredictability, Bert embraced it. This mindset allowed him to stay grounded, even when elephants trampled 60 of his imported Hass avocado trees in 2018 or when sourcing ingredients proved trickier than expected.

Building California Burrito: From One Store to 103

The first California Burrito store was a hit, generating $500,000 in revenue in its debut year.

By 2024, the chain had scaled to 103 stores, with a revenue of $23 million (₹85 to the dollar). The journey from one to 103 stores took 12 years of grit and innovation.

Key to this growth was mastering the supply chain to ensure authentic flavors. Indian tomatoes, onions, and beans tasted different from their U.S. or Mexican counterparts, so Bert’s team worked tirelessly to source or grow the right ingredients.

In 2018, they imported 500 Hass avocado trees from California to ensure a steady supply of a key ingredient.

The financials tell a story of disciplined growth. Food and packaging costs account for 37% of revenue, labor 12%, marketing 4%, real estate 9%, and corporate overhead 5%. With a 10% bottom line, California Burrito is on track to hit 300 stores by 2030, with plans for an IPO in India.

Life in Bengaluru: A Blend of Frugality and Comfort

Bert’s life in Bengaluru reflects his frugal yet fulfilling approach. He lives in a three-bedroom duplex apartment, a family heirloom filled with his grandparents’ furniture, for $1,200 a month. His monthly expenses are modest: $150–200 on groceries and $200–400 on dining out.

Mornings are spent sipping coffee on his patio, overlooking a small garden with a large avocado tree—a slice of calm in Bengaluru’s bustle.

Despite challenges like unseasonal rains or health scares, Bert loves India’s vibrancy. “It’s stretched me as a person,” he says. The country’s “once-in-a-lifetime growth story” keeps him inspired, as he witnesses firsthand the transformation of lives and opportunities.