Food & Drink

That’s a wrap! Tortilla’s boss, Richard Morris, talks burrito business and foodie trends

With everything from charcoal burgers to cannabis froyo hitting the headlines, it’s safe to say London’s food scene has something for everyone.

Culinary creation is everywhere in the city with one forerunner being Californian-style Mexican food chain, Tortilla.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Tortilla opened its doors to Islington locals a decade ago and the brand has since launched over 40 stores across the UK and the Middle East.

Their most recent store opening was in Harrow; their 36th branch in London.

Richard Morris was appointed managing director in early 2014 to build on the 13-store company using his 25-year background in the restaurant and dining industry.

Looking back on the past ten years, how has Tortilla changed? “Our brand has grown up,” Mr Morris said.

With the high-street constantly changing, brands need to be mature in how they keep themselves relevant to the market and consumers.

“We were one of the pioneers of fast-casual dining in the UK,” Mr Morris explained.

He added: “The market wanted the speed of a McDonalds but the quality of a dining restaurant and that was where we did well.

“We have a strap-line in the business that ‘you’re the architect, we’re the builders’, so you choose what you have from the food, and that customisability is what we focus on.”

To Richard, burritos mean business, but they are still food after all. So, what’s his favourite?

“The medium chicken burrito has always been my favourite, it’s our biggest seller!”

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