12th Jun 2025: Pune(S.N) – California Burrito, the Bengaluru-born Mexican fast-casual chain loved for its build-your-own bowls, burritos and tacos, today announced the grand opening of its two restaurants in Pune at Nexus Westend Mall, Aundh and Mall of the Millenium, Wakad. The launch marks the company’s debut in Maharashtra’s cultural capital and continues the growth push that saw California Burrito celebrate its 100-store milestone earlier this year in Feb.
“Pune has been on our wish list ever since we heard Punekars ask, ‘When are you coming here?’ on social media,” said Bert Mueller, Founder of California Burrito. “This city’s young professionals, students and thriving tech corridor mirror the energy that first inspired us in Bengaluru back in 2012. Rolling our mexican burritos into Pune feels like coming home to a community that already understands fresh food, authentic
flavours and easy convenience.”
Founded in Bengaluru in 2012 by American entrepreneur Bert Mueller—California Burrito pioneered the make-it-yourself Mexican format in India, offering fresh and flame-grilled proteins without artificial colours or flavours. Bert Mueller is a Southern-Californian who arrived in India at 22 on a study-abroad semester and never left. A music-and-public-policy graduate, he was struck by how enthusiastically his Jaipur host family embraced a Mexican meal his classmate cooked; the moment seeded a business idea.
Returning after graduation in 2011, Mueller raised US $250 k from friends and family, opened the first California Burrito in Bengaluru in 2012. He built a supply chain of farm-fresh local produce, even planting 500 avocado trees, and steered the brand from one Embassy Golf Link Business Park outlet in Bengaluru to 103 outlets.
“Crossing 100 stores proved that high-quality produce, transparent kitchens and digital convenience can scale in India,” Mueller added. “Entering Pune pushes us towards the next century mark.” California Burrito currently operates in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai & Delhi-NCR with Pune being its newest city addition.
Over the years, California Burrito has stayed true to its mission of serving honestly good food and real Mexican flavors at a price point that people can enjoy everyday. Their customers range from young Gen-Z customers hanging out together on Taco Tuesday to full family “Mexican Nights” where everyone from the youngest toddler to grandma joins in the fun at California Burrito.
Bert emphasis his focus on serving fresh & high quality ingredients to his customers “In 2020, we scaled up our tomatillo cultivation to improve our salsa. We have subsequently worked on cultivating beans, chillies, corn and tomatoes and employ a team of agronomists to continue improving on our journey to provide real Mexican flavors.”
Unlike other QSR brands, California Burrito does not operate on a central kitchen model – almost everything is cooked freshly at the store. From the beans and rice, to the chicken and paneer, a huge amount of their effort goes into training the team how to cook the food using classic culinary techniques. “Our food is truly honestly good and you can taste the difference!”, says Bert.
On visiting their Pune stores, it was refreshing to see that they make the food right in front of your eyes on their assembly line and make it exactly how you like it, so whether you’re Vegan, Vegetarian, no carb, or pure non-vegetarian, you get your food exactly customized for you. This flexibility in ordering makes it easy for people with different tastes to dine together at California Burrito.
Punekars are famous for their fiery palate—just look at the city’s devotion to misal pav, that chilli-soaked “rassa” which local institutions turn into a full-blown spice ritual every morning. To greet those heat-loving taste-buds head-on, California Burrito offers its brand-new Hot Habanero Burrito, built around a punchy sauce made with habanero peppers—one of the world’s hottest yet most aromatic chillies.
Both stores at Nexus Westend Mall, Aundh and Mall of the Millennium Wakad are now open and serving – do visit them to experience authentic Mexican flavors.
