By Osiris Hoil, Co-Founder and CEO of District Taco
East Coast Wings + Grill Delivers 500 Care Packages to Hurricane-Stricken North Carolina Families
Now here we are, celebrating our 15th anniversary of being in business – one thing has remained the same, our dedication to authenticity. In fact, to commemorate our celebration, I embarked on a trip to the Yucatán along with my team to reflect on our journey in the place where it all started. We filmed a documentary detailing an intimate look at the inspiration behind the brand and the special trip. Our visit to the Yucatán wasn’t just a return to where it all began; it was a reaffirmation of our commitment to bringing authentic flavors from my home on the Yucatán Peninsula to District Taco. As we grow, we will always remain true to our roots so that more people can enjoy the flavors my family has passed down for generations.
2024 has been a gratifying year for us as we continue to make waves with new openings, honorary accolades and an all-star leadership team. District Taco entered numerous markets this year, with new locations opening in Norfolk, VA and Wayne, NJ, two more New Jersey openings slated for this fall, and Orlando, FL locations on the horizon to open in Q1 of 2025. With 17 locations across the East Coast the brand has become a fan favorite in the communities it serves.
Another point of focus was to expand our leadership team as we enter this new era of franchise development. Victoria Stratton joined as Director of Design, while John Deacon took on the role of Director of Real Estate Development. Their combined expertise and fresh perspectives will be instrumental in driving our growth and innovation going into 2025. We’re thrilled to already be seeing Victoria and John’s impact. Together, they have significantly strengthened our expansion capabilities. Their contributions have proven instrumental in offering our franchisees best-in-class support to open new stores.
Perhaps my greatest accomplishment this year was when we were graciously awarded Minority-Owned Business of the Year by the American Business Awards®, affirming and recognizing our commitment to excellence, diversity, and community involvement. This accolade is a significant achievement for us as we continue to champion inclusivity and create opportunities for our communities and employees. Additionally, QSR listed us as 1 of 9 “franchisors to watch,” further affirming our new era of growth. We were also fortunate enough to be recognized as the best Mexican food in Virginia by LoveFood.com, a testament to the consistent quality, authenticity and guest satisfaction that we work so hard to sustain.
Most recently, I was honored with The Outstanding Americans by Choice award which commended me for professional achievements and dedication to this country. Historically, this honor has been given to many well-known public figures such as chef Lorena Garcia, MLB legends Fernando Valenzuela and Mariano Rivera, entertainers such as Thalia, and other distinguished naturalized Americans since the award’s 2006 inception.
Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the bold, vibrant flavors and traditional cooking techniques of the Yucatán Peninsula. This means never settling and always finding ways to improve. We focus on providing dishes that are always prepared traditionally with the freshest ingredients in mind so that people can feel like they’re sharing a meal at my dining table with my family. We meticulously source our produce and ingredients and work with partners to deliver the rich flavors of Mexico to the East Coast. Our mission is and will always be to serve quality – Yucatán style – Mexican food that is fresh, simple, and healthful, with a fully customizable menu. We’re looking forward to the next 15 and will spend the time delivering exceptional Mexican cuisine and outstanding community service to people everywhere.