Aztecas is a popular Mexican restaurant chain with locations across the United States. The company was founded in 1975 and has grown to over 200 locations. But who actually owns and operates the Aztecas restaurants? Here we will explore the ownership, history, and expansion of the Aztecas brand.
Who Founded Aztecas?
Aztecas was founded in 1975 by Raul Molina. Molina was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States in the late 1960s. After working in various restaurants, Molina saw an opportunity to bring authentic Mexican cuisine to broader audiences across the US.
The first Aztecas restaurant opened in Plano, Texas in 1975. The restaurant focused on traditional recipes and ingredients from Molina’s home region of Mexico. The food was a hit, and Aztecas quickly grew via franchising to cover Dallas, Houston, and Austin throughout the late 1970s.
How Did Aztecas Expand Across the US?
After finding success in Texas, Aztecas began to aggressively expand across the United States through franchising. The chain grew rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s. By 2000, there were over 100 Aztecas locations across more than 15 states.
Key factors that enabled this growth included:
- Consistency – Aztecas focused on maintaining consistent food and service across all locations
- Franchise owner support – The corporate team provided strong training and operational support to franchise owners
- Bold expansion – Aztecas expanded into many new markets simultaneously across the Midwest, South, and East Coast
This rapid growth was ultimately enabled by an increasing appetite for Mexican food across America. As the brand expanded, it became known nationwide for authentic cuisine in a lively, family-friendly environment.
Who Owns Aztecas Today?
Today, Aztecas continues to grow and evolve under the leadership of CEO Jose Ferreira Jr.
Ferreira joined Aztecas in 1993 and quickly moved into an executive leadership role. He purchased the company from founder Raul Molina in 2000.
Under Ferreira’s ownership, Aztecas has accelerated growth across America:
- 200+ locations today across 25 states
- Over 7,000 employees
- $250+ million in annual sales
Aztecas remains headquartered in Texas, where most corporate operations and executive leadership are based. While no longer owner, Molina remains involved as a member of the company’s board of directors.
Aztecas Ownership Structure
Aztecas operates under a franchise business model. This means each restaurant location is owned and operated by an independent franchise owner, who pays fees and royalties to the parent company.
The parent company Aztecas Restaurants, Inc. owns the Aztecas brand and intellectual property. This company is fully owned by CEO Jose Ferreira Jr.
Here is a breakdown of the ownership structure:
| Entity | Ownership |
|---|---|
| Aztecas Restaurants, Inc. (Parent Company) | Jose Ferreira Jr. (CEO) |
| Individual Aztecas Franchise Locations | Independent Franchise Owners |
This franchise model has enabled rapid expansion, while allowing the parent company to maintain brand consistency and collect lucrative royalty fees from all locations. The independent franchise owners take on the investment and operations of their local restaurants.
Aztecas Management Team
While CEO Jose Ferreira Jr. holds ownership, Aztecas has built an experienced executive team to manage operations:
- CEO: Jose Ferreira Jr. – With Aztecas since 1993, CEO since 2000.
- President: Rodolfo Rodriguez – 20+ years with Aztecas, oversees marketing.
- CFO: Michael Jones – Finance executive with 10+ years in the restaurant industry.
- COO: Robert Smith – Leads operations, supply chain, and franchising.
- CIO: Jessica Chen – Oversees IT, systems, and data management.
This skilled leadership team has driven the expansion to over 200 locations and has plans to reach 300+ stores in coming years. While deeply rooted in Texas, the management team has experience expanding brands nationally through franchising.
Aztecas Restaurant Locations
Today Aztecas has over 200 locations across these 25 states:
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
The company owns and operates a handful of locations, while the vast majority are run by franchise owners. Each franchise location employs around 20 people.
Aztecas locations can be found in cities big and small, from Houston to small towns across the Midwest. The restaurants typically have a vibrant, festive interior decor to match the Mexican cuisine.
Top States by Aztecas Locations
While Aztecas has reached most of the continental US, some states dominate in terms of total locations:
| State | Locations |
|---|---|
| Texas | 63 |
| Oklahoma | 18 |
| Tennessee | 16 |
| Arkansas | 12 |
| Kansas | 9 |
As the home state of Aztecas’ founding and headquarters, Texas unsurprisingly has the most locations. But the brand has penetrated many smaller states, especially in the South and Midwest, as it continues to expand nationwide.
Sample Aztecas Locations
Here are some example Aztecas locations across different states:
| City | State |
|---|---|
| Houston | Texas |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma |
| Memphis | Tennessee |
| Little Rock | Arkansas |
| Wichita | Kansas |
| St. Louis | Missouri |
| Orlando | Florida |
This provides a small sample of how Aztecas locations span main cities but also smaller markets across these core states.
Aztecas Menu
Aztecas menus stay consistent across all restaurants. The food provides a taste of authentic, traditional Mexican cuisine.
Some signature items on the Aztecas menu include:
- Tacos – Steak, chicken, pork, fish, and vegetarian options.
- Enchiladas – Cheese, chicken, beef, and specialty enchiladas.
- Fajitas – Steak, chicken or combo fajitas served sizzling hot.
- Chimichangas – Stuffed with meat, beans, cheese, and more.
- Quesadillas – Grilled flour tortillas with meat and cheese.
- Nachos – Crispy tortilla chips covered with meat, beans, cheese, and more.
- Salads – Taco salads, Fiesta lime salad, and more.
- Sides – Rice, beans, queso, guacamole, soup.
- Kids Menu – Quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and more.
This core menu establishes Aztecas’ traditional flavors and preparations. While new limited-time offers or regional items may be added, customers know they can count on these classics at any location nationwide.
Aztecas Margaritas
A signature aspect of dining at Aztecas is the wide variety of margaritas available. Aztecas boasts 12+ margarita flavors on their menu, more than any other Mexican chain.
Some savory margarita flavors found at Aztecas include:
- Traditional Lime
- Strawberry
- Mango
- Swirl – Lime and Strawberry
- Sangarita – Red sangria and margarita blend
- Skinny – Lower calorie
- Jalapeño
Aztecas also offers a rotating line of seasonal margaritas. Margaritas are available on the rocks or frozen. This signature cocktail program sets Aztecas apart and helps drive their fun, festive atmosphere.
Conclusion
Aztecas has grown from a single Texas restaurant in 1975 to a nationwide brand with 200+ locations across 25 states. While no longer owner, founder Raul Molina helped kickstart the company’s success. Since 2000, CEO Jose Ferreira Jr. has owned and expanded the brand.
Aztecas operates on a franchise model, allowing quick expansion. The company’s leadership team has restaurant experience to back this growth through franchising and maintain brand consistency. Aztecas is known for authentic Mexican food, vibrant restaurants, and signature margaritas.
With strong territory across the South and Midwest, Aztecas aims to continue expanding into new markets nationwide in coming years. Their recognizable brand and menu provide a consistent experience for customers whether dining in Texas or states far from Aztecas’ origin.