What does it take to turn a small walk-up taco shop into one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in Kansas City?
In this episode, Mindy Hargesheimer sits down with Eric Knott, CEO of Tiki Taco, to talk about the explosive growth of the beloved Kansas City taco concept. What started as a late-night taco window in Midtown has expanded into multiple locations across the metro, with ambitious plans for even more growth.
Eric shares the behind-the-scenes story of how Tiki Taco scaled its brand, built a loyal following, and created a restaurant culture that prioritizes great food, strong leadership, and community impact.
You'll also hear how the company approaches restaurant expansion, menu innovation, technology, AI in hospitality, and community partnerships that help each location become part of its neighborhood.
If you love food, entrepreneurship, or the Kansas City restaurant scene, this episode is packed with insights.
In This Episode We Cover
• The origin story of Tiki Taco • How a walk-up taco window became a growing restaurant brand • Scaling a restaurant concept the right way • Building a strong team culture in hospitality • Why community involvement fuels business growth • Restaurant technology and the future of AI in hospitality • Tiki Taco's menu inspiration: Mexican street tacos with a Southern California twist • Expansion plans across the Kansas City metro • Partnerships with hospitals, universities, and sports venues
About Eric Knott
Eric Knott is the CEO of Tiki Taco, one of Kansas City's fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant brands. With a background in hospitality leadership and restaurant operations, Eric joined the company to help scale the brand while maintaining its culture, quality, and community focus.
Today, Tiki Taco operates multiple locations, a food truck, and numerous off-premise partnerships across the region.
About the Podcast
This podcast highlights entrepreneurs, business leaders, and local innovators shaping Kansas City and beyond. Through candid conversations, we explore the stories behind successful brands, career journeys, and the lessons learned along the way.
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• Entrepreneurs • Restaurant founders • Local business leaders • Creators and innovators
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