| Torchy's Tacos | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Location City: | Austin, Texas |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Locations: | over 110 locations (as of 2023) |
| Area Served: | Nationwide |
| Industry: | Food service |
| Products: | Tacos |
Torchy's Tacos is a fast casual taco chain based in Austin, Texas, United States. As of 2023, they have over 110 locations across 14 states.[1] [2]
Torchy's Tacos initially began as a food truck in Austin in 2006 by Mike Rypka, who also serves as CEO of the company.[3] They began to transition into brick and mortar locations starting in 2010. Beginning in other large cities in Texas such as Dallas and Houston, from there, they began expanding into other markets in Texas and in surrounding states.[4] They do not franchise stores and there are currently no plans to do so.
Their mascot is a baby devil, which came after an epiphany Rypka had. Their slogan, "Damn Good", came from the positive feedback they received from their customers. In 2019, during South by Southwest, they parachuted tacos to attendees of the festival.[5]
Torchy's Tacos was featured on season 9 of the Travel Channel series Food Paradise in 2016,[6] and again on season 11 in 2017.[7] Delish ranked Torchy's as one of the best taco spots in America in 2019.[8] In 2023, readers of USA Today ranked the chain as one of the best fast casual restaurants in the United States.[9]