Surcheros: The Tex-Mex Franchise Winning in Towns Everyone Else Skips

Surcheros: The Tex-Mex Franchise Winning in Towns Everyone Else Skips

Author: Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, sponsored by Custom Business Solutions August 24, 2026 Duration: 41:12

The Restaurant Technology Guys podcast features Luke Christian and Jake Philpotts,, the founder and vice president of development at Surcheros, a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain. They discuss the unique founding story, the passion for people, site selection, off-prem sales, and the franchisee experience.

Takeaways

  • Passion for people drives the success of Surcheros.
  • Site selection and off-prem sales are critical for the growth of the brand.
  • Franchisees are attracted to the authenticity and transparency of the Surcheros team.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Founding Story and Unique Concept
  • 03:16 Passion for People and Purpose
  • 06:32 Site Selection and Off-Prem Sales
  • 09:27 Franchisee Experience and Engagement
  • 25:19 Product Differentiation and Innovation
  • 29:57 Franchisee Selection and Cultural Fit
  • 33:07 Brand Expansion and Product Recommendations

Ever feel like the tech in your restaurant is more of a headache than a help? You’re not alone. The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions cuts through the noise, offering real talk from people who’ve been in the trenches. Host Jeremy brings a lifetime of perspective-his family founded Custom Business Solutions, and he spent school vacations soldering components, giving him a unique, ground-up understanding of the systems that keep dining rooms and kitchens humming. This isn’t abstract theory; it’s practical knowledge forged from years of combined hands-on experience in implementation, marketing, and daily operations. Each episode feels like a conversation with a trusted advisor, breaking down complex topics into actionable advice you can use immediately. Whether it’s navigating a new point-of-sale rollout, understanding how to leverage data, or simply making your current tech stack work harder for you, this podcast provides clarity. Tune in for straightforward discussions that focus on one core goal: using technology to run your business more smoothly and profitably. It’s a resource built on genuine expertise, designed specifically for owners and operators who need reliable solutions, not just flashy trends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions
Podcast Episodes
Menu Engineering: Data-Driven Design That Lifts Margins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:04
00:00 Introduction to Dinetec and Menu Engineering03:34 Understanding Menu Nerds and Their Importance09:08 The Role of Data in Menu Engineering13:37 Art and Science of Menu Design17:33 Franchise Dynamics and Menu Consist…
Timber Pizza: From Food Truck to Franchise — Chris Brady [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
00:00 Introduction to Timber Pizza Company02:33 The Founding Story of Timber Pizza08:12 The Unique Pizza Style of Timber13:42 Seasonal and Creative Menu Offerings17:19 Ensuring Consistency in a Growing Franchise20:09 The…
Employee Benefits in Restaurants — Sven Jensen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:24
00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Technology Solutions02:39 Understanding Employee Benefits in the Restaurant Industry05:19 Challenges in Providing Employee Benefits08:27 The Importance of Employee Support11:16 Streamlini…
Catering: The Untapped Revenue Channel for Restaurants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:58 Elias' Journey into Restaurant Technology01:51 The Value of Catering in Foodservice02:47 Challenges Unique to Catering Business03:47 Catering Menu Design and Customer Expectat…
Revolutionizing Restaurant Orders with AI: Reducing Abandoned Carts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian interviews Steven Klein, co-founder of a tech company focused on solving challenges in the restaurant industry. They discuss the importance of enha…
The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
00:00 Introduction to Atmosphere TV and Its Mission03:29 Content Strategy and Audience Engagement06:25 The Evolution of Atmosphere's Offerings09:22 The Role of Digital Signage in Business12:15 Live Sports and Real-Time C…
Unlocking Customer Insights in Restaurants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
00:00 Introduction to Identity Resolution in Restaurants01:22 The Journey to Data-Driven Marketing03:26 Challenges in Capturing Customer Data05:16 Understanding the Identity Graph07:51 The Importance of Customer Insights…
Revolutionizing Restaurant Costs with AI Solutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
00:00 Introduction to Cost Reduction in Restaurants03:02 Understanding Spend Management and AI Solutions05:39 The Importance of Anomaly Detection in Cost Savings08:32 Overcoming Common Objections in Cost Management11:20…
Navigating the $150 Billion Delivery Market with Loop AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background06:36 What is Loop AI?09:07 The Necessity of Delivery in Restaurants15:32 How Loop AI Helps Restaurants Optimize Delivery21:37 Data-Driven Decision Making with Loop AI31:31 The Futu…