The Empanada Maker

Mission Viejo, California Food & Beverage

$0
of target $50,000 - $600,000

0% funded

to go

Executive Summary

The Empanada Maker, established in 2013 by Cameron Davis, is a dynamic restaurant concept specializing in gourmet empanadas, homemade dipping sauces, fresh salads, and savory side dishes. Rooted in South American culinary traditions, the business initially launched in Mission Viejo. Currently, it operates a flagship retail store in Mission Viejo and a popular food truck that serves various locations across Southern California. The Empanada Maker is committed to providing a unique dining experience that emphasizes quality, convenience, and cultural authenticity, with plans to expand into additional locations throughout Southern California and Utah.

The Empanada Maker specializes in crafting exquisite empanadas, a beloved dish across South America and now gaining global popularity for its portability and rich flavors. Each empanada is prepared with meticulous care. The menu extends beyond empanadas to include a variety of homemade dipping sauces, fresh salads, and complementary side dishes to cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. The business prides itself on providing high-quality meals at affordable prices within a friendly and welcoming environment.

We currently hold three U.S. trademarks for our logo and brand name, ensuring robust protection of our brand identity.

WELCOME TO THE EMPANADA MAKER!

The Empanada Maker is a fresh and unique restaurant concept offering gourmet empanadas, homemade dipping sauces, fresh salads, and delicious side dishes. Established in November 2013, our first and flagship location continues to operate in Mission Viejo. We are dedicated to providing a unique dining experience that emphasizes quality, convenience, and cultural authenticity. Join us at our Mission Viejo location or catch our popular food truck as it roams various spots across Southern California!

Please take a moment to check out our website and learn more about our amazing empanadas.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Business Segments

1. Restaurants & Food Truck Operations

The Empanada Maker has solidified its culinary footprint with a flagship retail store located in Mission Viejo, opened in 2013, in addition to its vibrant food truck operations. This stationary location in Mission Viejo is at the heart of the brand's mission to offer gourmet empanadas and a memorable dining experience that mirrors the high-quality service of its mobile operations. With plans to soon open additional locations throughout Southern California and Utah, The Empanada Maker continues to expand its reach and delight customers with its culinary offerings.

The Empanada Maker - Mission Viejo

Located at 26131 La Paz Road, the Mission Viejo restaurant was the first to open its doors, setting the standard for quality and innovation in empanada cuisine. This location operates from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and extends its hours from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM over the weekend, catering to both early risers and late diners. Customers can enjoy a range of combo meals and family packs designed to provide value and variety.

Menu and Offerings:

Both locations share a common menu that highlights the versatility and global appeal of empanadas. The menu includes:

Regular Menu: Features a variety of empanadas including traditional and specialty flavors, ensuring there is something to satisfy every palate.
Catering Menu: Available for events and large gatherings, offering customizable options that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
Take & Bake: Allows customers to enjoy freshly baked empanadas at home, providing a convenient option for busy families and parties.

Food Truck Operations

The Empanada Maker has broadened its culinary reach by incorporating a food truck that serves the community at various events and locales throughout Southern California. This mobile extension allows the business to offer its gourmet empanadas to a wider audience, maintaining the high-quality experience associated with its brick-and-mortar locations.

2. Franchise Operations

As a core part of our expansion strategy, The Empanada Maker is now offering franchising opportunities. This allows us to partner with entrepreneurs who share our passion for quality and service, helping them to open The Empanada Maker locations in new markets.

Franchise Model and Support: Our franchise model is crafted to replicate the success of our existing location by providing a proven business plan, branding guidelines, and a comprehensive support system. This ensures that each franchisee can thrive while maintaining the high standards The Empanada Maker is known for.

3. Wholesale Operations

In addition to direct sales through our restaurant and food truck, we have now also developed a wholesale distribution channel. This broadens our market reach and enhances our brand presence by supplying our handcrafted empanadas to various retail and food service businesses.

Strategic Partnerships: Our focus is on forging partnerships with grocery stores, specialty food outlets, and other commercial enterprises. We ensure that our high standards for quality and freshness are consistently upheld, providing our partners with a product that is both unique and highly sought after.

WHAT'S AN EMPANADA?

em·pa·na·da

[em-puh–nah-duh; Spanish em-pah-nah–thah]

An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries in Southern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Southeast Asia.

The name comes from the Spanish verb empanar, meaning “to wrap or coat in bread.”

At The Empanada Maker, we take empanadas to the next level. Not only do we offer our South American-inspired originals, but we have a wonderful selection of “specialty” empanadas, which pay tribute to different popular flavors from around the globe.

Product Offerings

Main Menu

Original & Specialty Empanadas: A variety of savory empanadas filled with ingredients such as beef, chicken, veggies, cheese, and more.
Breakfast Empanadas: Morning delights with options including steak, bacon, or chorizo, with scrambled eggs and cheese.
Salads: Fresh greens and veggies mixed with proteins and topped with premium dressings.
Soups: Warm and comforting bowls of goodness, including our famous chicken tortilla soup.
Combos: Pair your empanadas with one of our delicious side dishes and a fountain drink.
Sides: Deviled egg potato salad, jalapeño black beans, seasoned fries and more!
Desserts: Sweet empanadas filled with delicious fruit, chocolate or custard, and homemade rice pudding.

Specialty Items

Mix & Match Empanadas: A selection of 6 or 12 empanadas to sample, perfect for trying new flavors.
Combo Meal: Pair your empanadas with a drink and side for a satisfying meal.
"Take & Bake" Empanadas: Take home a 4-pack of our delicious frozen empanadas to enjoy any time!

FULL MENU

Catering Services:

Catering Menu

At The Empanada Maker, we specialize in providing comprehensive catering services tailored to fit any event, large or small. Our commitment is to deliver not just food, but an enriching culinary experience that enhances each event we serve. We understand that every gathering is unique, and that's why we offer customizable menus designed to meet a wide range of tastes and dietary needs.

Event Versatility: Suitable for any size event, from small gatherings to large celebrations.
Customizable Menus: Tailored to meet diverse tastes and dietary requirements.
Culinary Expertise: Handcrafted empanadas and a variety of side dishes, salads, and desserts.
Professional Setup: Includes delivery and expert setup to ensure a seamless experience.
Full Service: Our team handles all details, making your event stress-free and memorable.

OUR STORY

While spending a few years living in South America as a teenager, I fell in love with the ever-famous empanada. After returning home to the States, I had a lot of fun experimenting with my own empanada recipes, often making them for friends and family.

I decided to pursue my long-time dream of opening my own restaurant and created The Empanada Maker so that I could share my passion and love for empanadas with everyone. Since 2013, we've served over ONE MILLION empanadas...and we're just getting started!

The Empanada Maker is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert...and we would love to cater your next party or special event!

We look forward to seeing you at one of our stores (or food truck) very soon!

Sincerely,
Cameron Davis
Founder of The Empanada Maker and Empanada Enthusiast

Market Analysis Target Market:

Food Enthusiasts: Individuals who appreciate authentic international cuisine.
Families: Those seeking convenient, affordable, and family-friendly dining options.
Professionals: Busy individuals needing quick, satisfying meals.
Event Planners: Organizers looking for reliable catering options.

Market Trends:

Culinary Trend: Last year, empanadas were the 8th most-ordered item on Grubhub, highlighting their popularity and the strong market demand for our products.
Rising Demand for Ethnic Foods: Driven by multicultural influences and adventurous palates.
Popularity of Handheld Foods: Empanadas fit well with modern, on-the-go lifestyles.

Competitive Landscape

While empanadas are becoming a staple in mainstream culinary scenes, The Empanada Maker differentiates itself through:

Quality and Authenticity: Empanadas are handcrafted from scratch, focusing on traditional recipes and premium ingredients.
Innovative Menu: Offers both classic South American varieties and creative, globally-inspired specialty empanadas.
Customer Experience: Provides a welcoming, family-friendly environment at its restaurant locations and engages directly with customers through its food truck.

Marketing Strategy

Digital Presence:

Website and Mobile App: Features menus, catering options, location details, and online ordering.
Social Media: Active on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) to showcase menu items, announce promotions, and interact with customers.

Community Engagement:

Food Truck Operations: Uses the food truck for mobile marketing at local events, festivals, and community gatherings to introduce new customers to the brand.
Local Partnerships: Collaborates with nearby businesses, schools, and community organizations for joint promotions and events.

Customer Loyalty Programs:

Rewards Program: Offers discounts, free items, or exclusive events for repeat customers.
Referral Programs: Encourages existing customers to refer new patrons with rewards for both parties.

With a stellar rating of 4.3 stars from over 1K reviews, The Empanada Maker's unique blend of New American and classic empanada recipes has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts.

Board of Directors & Management

TATIANA FRIDERICI CEO Director
Tatiana hails from a long line of culinarians, with cooks and bakers on both sides of her family. Her passion for food was ingrained from a young age, and she pursued her love for the culinary world by studying Hotel and Restaurant administration in Guadalajara, Mexico. Though she always dreamed of owning her own restaurant, life took an unexpected turn when she lost her husband in 1998.

Returning to the United States, Tatiana forged a career in banking and quickly ascended the ranks to become a Vice President. It was during her time in the banking industry that she crossed paths with Jaswinder Saini, and this fateful encounter led her to the world of Subway. For over a decade, Tatiana thrived as a Subway franchise owner, managing a total of nine successful locations. However, it was the persistent encouragement of her longtime friend, Cameron, that prompted her to transition into the mission of forming a new franchise empire.

After years of tireless effort and overcoming what seemed like endless challenges along the way, Tatiana and Cameron have now successfully formed a franchise and wholesale division of The Empanada Maker. Their vision for the future is ambitious, with plans to expand the brand first into Utah and then nationwide. Tatiana's extensive experience in franchise management, sales, inventory, and various operating systems has been of pivotal importance in their journey to success.

ANTHONY PENN Director
Anthony Penn has been an influential figure in hospitality for three decades – whether for Master Chef Aaron Sanchez, venture-backed chains prepping for a national rollout, or helping singleunit owners/operators restore their labor of love to highly profitable operations. Known for being behind numerous distinctive food and beverage experiences in multiple genres, Anthony has an exceptional record of accelerating growth, enhancing operating efficiency, and delivering immediate and tangible results in corporate, entrepreneurial, and franchise environments.

Most recently, Anthony has been behind the renovation and reinvention of the iconic Ruby’s Diner concept. With Ruby’s having been purchased out of bankruptcy, Anthony is leading a team of industry experts to upgrade the existing Ruby's food, operations, and marketing systems, as well as creating a new Ruby’s Diner 2.0 that will begin opening locations in 2024.

He was responsible for the restaurant operations of Chef Sanchez concepts, including 11 House of Blues restaurants, Mestizo in Leawood, Kansas, Johnny Sanchez (Baltimore & New Orleans), and Paloma in Stamford, Connecticut. While Anthony can point to expertise in the usual skills -- new concept development, operations management, training, systems development, and pre-and post-opening support – what makes Anthony most sought after is his highly collaborative working style.

Before starting PRG, Anthony worked for and led top hospitality players: As Partner and COO for Trifecta Management Group, he was responsible for all business operations innovative concept development, design and construction, and marketing for several new and existing restaurant and entertainment venues.

As COO for The Counter, he was responsible for all aspects of operations for a newly developed upscale gourmet burger restaurant, creating an infrastructure for sustained growth.

As a Senior VP for Buca Inc., Anthony led the openings of 50+ Buca di Beppo’s nationwide, cumulatively generating over $140 million in annual sales, while overseeing a workforce of over 2,000.

In addition, Anthony held executive and management roles with nationally recognized brands, including Outback Steakhouse, Carlos Murphy’s and Chi Chi’s Mexican restaurants.

With his love for the training and development of future leaders, Anthony also co-founded Results Driven Leadership and dedicated himself to helping to improve the impact of executives and other managers by increasing their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Board of Advisors

SERGIO FRIDERICI ADVISOR - SALES & MARKETING
From a young age, Sergio was fascinated with how things worked, and frequently disassembled everything from toaster ovens to picture tube televisions. Yes, it’s a miracle he was never electrocuted, but that same passion to understand how things work and how they can be improved has been a driving force and approach throughout Sergio’s life. After starting his first company selling and installing car alarms when he was 18, Sergio quickly realized that his true calling was in sales and marketing.

After 30 years in the field, with multiple years as a top producer and recipient of numerous awards, Sergio possess a deep understanding of market dynamics and customer needs, enabling him to identify new business opportunities and develop tailored sales strategies. He excels at building and maintaining long-term relationships with clients, utilizing strong negotiation skills, and his ability to understand where improvements can be made to keep customers happy and the business growing.

Growing up in a family of cooks with his parents owning several restaurants and even a bakery, Sergio has always had a passion for the culinary arts. When his best friend Cameron asked him to join The Empanada Maker team and help develop and grow the wholesale and franchise divisions, he welcomed the opportunity without hesitation.

JASWINDER SAINI ADVISOR - FRANCHISE SALES & OPERATIONS
Jaswinder “Jas” Saini is a seasoned professional with expertise in multiple industries. He owned and operated a successful LPG distribution business in India. With a knack for people management and problem solving, he served not only as an owner, but also as a coach and mentor to his teams, ensuring that high standards were met, and longterm goals were achieved. Jas has also exceled as a sales manager for a national home furnishing company and has manufacturing experience in electrical motors, alternators, and wire mesh.

After moving to the United States in 2000, Jas began his journey in the quick-service restaurant industry. He and his partner Tatiana owned and operated more than 10 successful Subway franchises over the years. Jas has a deep understanding of franchisee and franchisor relations, and a unique first-hand knowledge of franchising operations in general. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, Jaswinder's diverse skill set and dedication to excellence make him a valuable asset to The Empanada Maker organization.

TAYRA T. MARTINEZ ADVISOR - FRANCHISE EXPERIENCE
With over 20 years of banking experience, Tayra Martinez holds Series 7, 66, 9, and 10 licenses and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation. In her current role, she oversees a team of financial advisors for a top financial firm.

Tayra also successfully owned and operated a franchise business for over five years. She leveraged the skills and knowledge acquired throughout her corporate career—such as leadership, strategic planning, financial acumen, and customer relationship management—to drive the franchise's growth and ensure its operational excellence. This hands-on experience highlighted her entrepreneurial spirit and reinforced her commitment to customer satisfaction and business success.

Tayra is deeply committed to supporting the Hispanic community, having emigrated from Mexico at the age of 13. She currently co-chairs a regional Hispanic organization dedicated to leadership and employee advancement, which has grown to support over 650 employees. Residing in Menifee, CA with her spouse, Aaron, and their two children, Sophia and AJ, Tayra enjoys traveling, dancing, and exploring new cuisines, particularly those with a spicy twist.