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At a time when restaurant operators are facing ongoing supply chain disruptions, pricing pressures, and evolving guest expectations, Condado Tacos stands out as a brand that remains steadfast in its identity, strategic in its supply chain approach, and innovative in its menu development.

Here are the key takeaways from our discussion with Evan Pardue, Director of Brand and CX, and Jan Stewart, VP of Food Operations at Condado Tacos:

A Deep Understanding of Brand Identity Drives Every Decision

At Condado, success begins with a clear, unwavering understanding of who they are as a brand. Their core values — quality, value, and experience — aren't just marketing slogans; they guide every decision across the organization. Condado is known for bold flavors, fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients, and a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that welcomes everyone. Customization is central to the experience, allowing every guest to have their own "choose-your-own-adventure" meal. Whether a guest wants a simple taco or a premium margarita with a rare tequila, Condado ensures that the brand delivers consistently on quality and value at every touchpoint.

That commitment to experience and customization enables Condado to connect deeply with guests, differentiate from competitors, and innovate confidently — even as market conditions shift.

Tariffs Are Just the Latest Chapter in an Ongoing Story of Supply Chain Volatility — and Condado Is Ready

Tariffs might be dominating headlines today, but Condado’s leadership views them as just the latest iteration of an ongoing challenge: supply chain volatility. Having weathered the disruptions of the pandemic and the years of inflation and product shortages that followed, Condado has built the operational muscle to stay nimble.

According to Jan Stewart, "You're never going to run away from the next disruption. It's about constantly preparing your supply chain to minimize impact."

For example, Condado proactively transitioned its Roma tomato sourcing from Mexico to the East Coast. The switch not only helped mitigate potential tariff impacts but also improved quality and consistency—the East Coast tomatoes provided a better cut and reduced water content, enhancing salsa and other key menu items. This type of forward-thinking sourcing strategy, focused first on quality and second on mitigating risk, keeps the guest experience strong even when external pressures mount.

Supply Chain and Menu Engineering Work Hand-in-Hand to Elevate the Guest Experience

At Condado, supply chain and menu innovation are inseparable. Both teams play a critical role in shaping the guest experience, and any new item or supply chain change demands close coordination. No matter how an idea originates, bringing it to life requires both sides moving in lockstep.

Early this year the Condado team launched a category that was completely new for the brand: Burritos. Guest feedback, particularly from Condado’s "Best Buds" loyalty members, revealed a strong desire for burritos. Armed with that insight, the team designed a burrito program that stayed true to the brand's commitment to customization, quality, and value. Supply chain and culinary teams worked together to execute it at scale, ensuring high quality.

In preparation for launching the category, they turned to guest data from Bikky. Condado identified the Chicken Bacon Ranch taco as one of the most beloved and frequently reordered items. This insight made the Chicken Bacon Ranch Burrito the obvious choice for the brand's first burrito LTO.

Since launching the CBR Burrito the Condado team has measured the items impact on guest behavior through Bikky. Evan shared that both new and repeat guests ordering the item have a higher average order value and return more frequently than guests ordering other menu items– allowing them to truly understand the ROI of the LTO. 

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In an era defined by volatility and evolving guest expectations, Condado Tacos shows that staying true to your brand identity, preparing your supply chain for constant change, and deeply listening to your guests (with the help of data) isn’t just a strategy — it’s a competitive advantage.