Kristen Corral, co-founder of Tacotarian, has helped grow the plant-based Mexican restaurant brand into a six-location company through creator-driven marketing, founder-led storytelling, and community-focused content designed to reach far beyond the traditional vegan audience.
Watch now to learn how Tacotarian built a vegan brand for the other 97%, why “cringe” content works, and how Kristen Corral uses storytelling to make customers feel like they belong.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST – All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc
Chapters:
[03:15] – Marketing to the Other 97%
[13:40] – Building Community Beyond Social Media
[16:28] – Loyalty Programs and Digital Hospitality
[19:28] – TEDx, Personal Branding, and Recruiting
[22:45] – Being “Cringey”
SPONSORS:
RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.
• Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc
***
PEPSICO IS A SPONSOR OF THE RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS PODCAST —
Restaurant Influencers is proud to have PepsiCo as a sponsor of this episode. Partnering with PepsiCo Foodservice helps restaurant operators drive sustainable growth through smarter digital experiences, AI-backed menu optimization, and tools designed to create more profitable online orders.
Check out PepsiCo Foodservice
Episode Links:
Kristen Corral LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-corral/
Kristen Corral: https://kristencorral.com/
Kristen Corral Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristencorral
Women In Restaurant Leadership: https://womenleadrestaurants.com/
Tacotarian: https://eattacotarian.com/
Tacotarian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eattacotarian
Tacotarian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eattacotarian
Tacotarian Tik Tok: https://www.facebook.com/eattacotarian
Tacotarian Pinterest: https://www.facebook.com/eattacotarian
Key Takeaways:
Marketing Beyond the 3%: Tacotarian built its brand around making vegan food feel approachable to everyone, not just the small percentage of customers who already identify as vegan or vegetarian.
Founder Content Builds Connection: Kristen Corral says customers respond more to personality than polished branding, which is why founder videos and behind-the-scenes content
outperform static restaurant marketing.
“Cringe” Content Still Works: Even though Corral admits being on camera can feel uncomfortable, she believes restaurant owners who avoid content creation are missing opportunities to build community and reach new customers.
***
ABOUT KRISTEN CORRAL —
Kristen Corral is a passionate entrepreneur, advocate, and the co-founder of Tacotarian, an award-winning plant-based restaurant chain redefining the way people experience plant-based cuisine. Since its inception in 2018, Tacotarian has expanded to six locations, is now franchising across the U.S., and has launched a retail line available in grocery stores nationwide. Kristen’s deep-rooted belief that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a connector, a mood-changer, and a force for good—has driven her to build a brand that seamlessly blends culinary innovation with community impact.
ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.
Published by Entrepreneur Media – https://entreprenuer.com
Produced by Cali BBQ Media – https://betheshow.media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Xo1il68aU
#entrepreneur #entrepreneurlife #businessowner #startup #founder #solopreneur #onlinebusiness #digitalbusiness #sidehustle #buildinpublic #financialfreedom #wealthbuilding #makeoneyonline #passiveincome #cashflow #moneytalks #richmindset #incomeideas #scalemindset #businessmindset #successmindset #growthmindset #discipline #consistency #selfimprovement #highperformance #focus #execution #anti9to5 #escapetheratace #buildassets #timefreedom #systemsovergoals #quietwealth #ownership #leverage #independence