Chilango (restaurant chain) facts for kids

Chilango is a restaurant chain in the United Kingdom. It specializes in delicious Mexican cuisine, like burritos and tacos. Imagine a place where you can grab a tasty meal inspired by Mexico! That's what Chilango offers.

The Story of Chilango

Chilango has an interesting history, from its beginnings to how it grew and faced challenges.

Starting Up

Chilango was started in 2007. Two friends, Eric Partaker and Dan Houghton, created it. They both used to work at a well-known company called Skype Technologies. They had a dream to bring exciting Mexican food to the UK.

Growing Bigger

In August 2014, Chilango tried a new way to get money. They asked people to invest in their company through a special project. They called these investments 'Burrito bonds'. They managed to raise £2 million this way! This money helped them open more restaurants.

Chilango started with restaurants mainly in London. But they soon began to expand.

• In April 2016, they opened their 11th restaurant. This was their first one outside of London, located in Manchester.
• In October 2018, Chilango opened its 12th restaurant. This new spot was in Birmingham.

Facing Challenges and New Owners

In 2019, Chilango worked with a company called RSM. They wanted help with long-term plans for the future.

However, in July 2020, Chilango faced some financial difficulties. This meant the company needed help to keep going. An investment group called RD Capital Partners stepped in. They bought Chilango in August 2020, helping the chain continue serving its customers.

Later, in May 2022, RD Capital Partners sold Chilango. It was bought by another restaurant chain. This new owner was Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC, which is also based in London. The sale was for £2.8 million. This means Chilango is now part of a bigger family of Mexican restaurants.