About this video

• Video Title: I Left The U.S. For India And Built A $23M Burrito Business
• Channel: CNBC Make It
• Speakers: Bert Mueller
• Duration: 00:07:51

Overview

This video features Bert Mueller, who moved from the U.S. to India in 2011 and built a successful Mexican-inspired burrito business called California Burrito. The video covers his initial experiences in India, the challenges and rewards of starting a business there, his personal life in Bengaluru, and the growth of his company from one store to over 100, generating $23 million in revenue.

Key takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Journey: Bert Mueller left a traditional American life to start a Mexican food business in India, a market with limited existing options for this cuisine.
• Business Growth: California Burrito has expanded to 103 stores, with revenue growing from $500,000 in its first year to $23 million.
• Cultural Adaptation: Mueller emphasizes the importance of patience and adaptability when doing business in India, describing it as a "learning curve" and a place where "nothing is predictable."
• Personal Experience: He finds India to be a "wonderful place to be" and feels happy living there, noting the affordability of housing and a rich life experience.
• Supply Chain Development: A significant challenge was developing a supply chain to ensure the authentic taste of Mexican-inspired food, given the different flavor profiles of local ingredients.

About this video

• Video Title: I Left The U.S. For India And Built A $23M Burrito Business
• Channel: CNBC Make It
• Speakers: Bert Mueller
• Duration: 00:07:51

Overview

This video features Bert Mueller, who moved from the U.S. to India in 2011 and built a successful Mexican-inspired burrito business called California Burrito. The video covers his initial experiences in India, the challenges and rewards of starting a business there, his personal life in Bengaluru, and the growth of his company from one store to over 100, generating ₹1.91 billion in revenue.

Key takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Journey: Bert Mueller left a traditional American life to start a Mexican food business in India, a market with limited existing options for this cuisine.
• Business Growth: California Burrito has expanded to 103 stores, with revenue growing from approximately ₹42.5 million in its first year to ₹1.91 billion.
• Cultural Adaptation: Mueller emphasizes the importance of patience and adaptability when doing business in India, describing it as a "learning curve" and a place where "nothing is predictable."
• Personal Experience: He finds India to be a "wonderful place to be" and feels happy living there, noting the affordability of housing (approximately ₹99,000 per month) and a rich life experience.
• Supply Chain Development: A significant challenge was developing a supply chain to ensure the authentic taste of Mexican-inspired food, given the different flavor profiles of local ingredients.

Ask me anything about this video

1. What was Bert Mueller's initial motivation for moving to India?
2. How has the revenue of California Burrito changed from its first financial year to last year?
3. What are some of the challenges Bert Mueller has faced while living and doing business in India?
4. What are Bert Mueller's future plans for California Burrito?
5. Turn this video into a tweet...

The video transcript mentions that Bert Mueller's apartment costs about $1,200 a month, which translates to approximately ₹99,600 per month at an exchange rate of ₹83 to the dollar. While this might seem high in some contexts, the affordability of housing can vary greatly depending on the specific location within India and the type of property. The transcript also notes that much of his furniture has been passed down through his family, suggesting a connection to his past and a sense of home in his current living situation.