Velvet Taco

The Opening Team: The Heartbeat of a New Restaurant At Velvet Taco, we talk a lot about building something special — but none of it happens without our opening teams. These Tribe Members are the first to walk through the doors, the first to fire up the grills, and the first to set the tone for what our guests will come to love. They're more than just staff — they’re culture carriers, standard setters, and leaders. This weekend I stopped by and spent time with the Training Team opening our newest McKinney restaurant (April 14th). A special shoutout to those rockstars who not only help open our restaurant locations but go on to train others. You’re the multiplier effect. Because of you, the Velvet Taco experience feels just as kick ass in new markets as it does in our originals. You make sure the brand shows up consistently — with passion, purpose, and a little bit of rebel spirit. To every Tribe Member who's ever rolled up your sleeves and said "Let's go build something amazing" — thank you. You are the reason our brand keeps growing, and more importantly, keeps getting better. Congratulations to our GM Manny and his entire Management Team, the Velvet Taco Training Team, and to the newest Tribe Members hired in McKinney training this week — you’re stepping into something special. You’re learning from the best, and soon, you’ll be the ones inspiring the next wave of greatness. #Velvettaco #mckinney #newrestaurantopening

The best way to understand a business? Be in it. Really be in it. Recently, I spent a late night—until 3 AM—at our Velvet Taco in the Domain Austin, working alongside the team. What I saw wasn’t just hard work; it was teamwork at its finest. The kitchen was firing on all cylinders, the front-of-house team was locked in, and everyone was moving with purpose. No job was too small, no role was more important than another. It was a masterclass in Standing Together to deliver an unforgettable experience. Thank you to our GM Ben and he rest of the Tribe for allowing me to hang out for the night, work the register, talk to guests and clean some tables. As CEO, I believe leadership isn’t about sitting in an office making decisions in isolation. It’s about being in the trenches, seeing firsthand what our teams go through, and making sure they have what they need to succeed. Culture isn’t just built in boardrooms—it’s built in moments like these, where passion, hustle, and teamwork come together. I’m incredibly grateful for every Tribe member who shows up day and night to make Velvet Taco what it is. Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork do not go unnoticed. You are the reason we continue to grow and push the boundaries of what’s possible. From the bottom of my heart—thank you. Walking out at 3 AM, I wasn’t just proud—I was inspired. This is what makes Velvet Taco special. #Leadership #StandTogether #KickAssAndTakeNames #LateNightLessons

We want to extend a huge thank you to our Platinum Sponsors Edward Don & Company, Heaven Hill Brands, Wolverine Packing Co., Consolidated Concepts, and Land O'Lakes, Inc. for their support at our 2025 Leadership Conference! Your involvement helps bring our conference to life, and we are beyond grateful for your contribution. 🤝

A big thank you to our Executive Sponsors Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Jarritos US, and Direct Pack, Inc. for their support at our 2025 Leadership Conference! Your partnership plays a vital role in making this event a success, and we’re so appreciative of your contributions. Here's to great partnerships! 🌮

Velvet Fever 🕺🪩 Our 2025 Leadership Conference is in the books! Two weeks ago, we brought our operators together for a week focused on growth, leadership, and elevating our brand vision. From leveling up our people to celebrating the Kick Ass work of our Tribe, we left ready to take it to the next level. Already counting down to next year! ✨🌮 #LeadTheHustle #OwnTheGroove

A huge thank you to our Diamond Sponsors True Produce, LLC and Sysco for your amazing support of our 2025 Leadership Conference! You all helped make this event possible, and we are beyond grateful for your partnership. We’re proud to work alongside such incredible organizations and are excited to continue collaborating to elevate the industry! 👏

Today we celebrate Andres Lopez for five years at 6th & Congress in Austin #CincoClub! From the rush of service to the grind of prep, Andres leads by example pushing through challenges, uplifting the team, and always striving for excellence. Balancing two full time jobs, his resilience and work ethic never waver. Success is not just about hard work it is about teamwork, passion, and perseverance. Thank you Andres for your commitment and impact. Here is to five years of excellence and many more to come! 🥳

Lucky you. We're celebrating St. Paddy's Day early with Green Velvet Cake and Green Margs alllll weekend long (3/14 - 3/17). Thank you for the inclusion, CultureMap Dallas! 🍀 Available starting tomorrow at all traditional VT locations.

Congratulations to Abraham Mendoza from our Dallas Preston & Forest restaurant on five years of dedication, growth, and impact! We are so grateful for everything you bring to the team—your hard work, positivity, and passion do not go unnoticed. Here's to celebrating you and all that you’ve accomplished! #CincoClub #OneVibeOneTribe🥳

The final day of Velvet Fever was all about growth, vision, and celebration. We took a deep dive into our financial state, people development, and how we help guests break free to explore new flavors and experiences. Guest speaker Galen Emanuele shared powerful insights on leadership and culture before we closed out the week with an awards dinner, celebrating the incredible work of our Tribe. We ended the night on the dance floor! What a great week, counting down the days ‘til next year’s Leadership Conference. ✨🕺🌮 #LeadTheHustle #OwnTheGroove #LeadershipConference