LeBron James Invests In Mike's Red Tacos as Fast-Growing Birria Brand Enters Its Next Chapter

Investment coincides with the company's first Los Angeles-area restaurant opening in Pasadena as Mike's Red Tacos accelerates its nationwide franchise expansion

PASADENA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After years of sharing his love of tacos with millions of fans around the world, global sports icon and entrepreneur LeBron James is joining Mike's Red Tacos as an investor. The investment comes as the fast-growing Southern California birria concept prepares to open its first Los Angeles-area restaurant in Pasadena in the coming weeks.

Starting out as a single San Diego food truck, Mike's Red Tacos has built one of Southern California's most passionate followings by doing one thing exceptionally well: authentic, slow-braised birria served with its signature consome for dipping. Long before birria became one of America's fastest-growing menu trends, the company earned a loyal following through word of mouth, social media and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Today, with more than 300 franchise locations in development nationwide, Mike's Red Tacos is entering its most significant chapter yet. Joining founder Mike Touma are CEO Andrew Feghali and Chairman Bill Phelps, two of the restaurant industry's most accomplished operators, whose experience helping build Dave's Hot Chicken into one of the nation's fastest-growing restaurant brands reflects the type of proven leadership assembled to guide Mike's Red Tacos through its next phase of growth.

That unwavering commitment to quality ultimately caught the attention of LeBron James. For years, LeBron's enthusiasm for Taco Tuesday has become part of popular culture, as he shared his love of tacos with millions of fans and helped transform a weekly tradition into a social media celebration.

While LeBron has celebrated tacos with fans for years, his investment in Mike's Red Tacos reflects something different: confidence in an authentic founder-led brand and an experienced leadership team with a vision for long-term growth. As fellow investors in Dave’s Hot Chicken, LeBron and his long-time investment partner, Main Street Advisors, were familiar with the Mike’s Red Tacos management team, had conviction in the company’s vision and long-term growth strategy, and were excited to invest and help bring Mike's Red Tacos to more communities across the country.

"I love tacos, and I especially love how they bring people together to create traditions and share great moments around the table with family and friends. In addition to having an incredible taco, Mike’s Red Tacos brings those same values to life in a fresh, new way for consumers,” said LeBron James. “With this leadership team, I see a group that is building something authentic with a long-term vision, and I wanted to be part of helping bring that experience to more communities."’

"We're not interested in trend-chasing brands," said Andrew Feghali, CEO of Mike's Red Tacos. "We're interested in founders building something enduring. Mike did that with a focused menu, chef-driven food, and a loyalty most brands never earn. Adding LeBron and an experienced restaurant leadership team gives Mike's the megaphone it deserves, the resources to scale what's already working, and the platform to become a category-defining brand."

"What we've built has always started with the food," said Mike's Red Tacos founder Mike Touma. "Before anyone knew our name, before we opened restaurants, and before we ever talked about franchising, people were lining up because they loved the birria. Everything that's happened since has been built on delivering an unforgettable meal and creating an experience people want to come back to. Having LeBron believe in what we’re building and invest in our future is an incredible honor and a powerful validation of our brand and vision.”

Mike's Red Tacos' next chapter begins this fall with the opening of its first Los Angeles-area restaurant in Pasadena next month, at 899 E Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106, introducing the brand to one of the country's most influential dining markets. While the Pasadena opening represents an important milestone, the company's ambitions extend well beyond Southern California.

With more than 300 franchise locations currently in development nationwide, Mike's Red Tacos is building thoughtfully and intentionally, partnering with experienced operators who share the founders' commitment to quality, hospitality and protecting the integrity of the brand as it enters new markets.

About Mike's Red Tacos
Mike's Red Tacos was born in San Diego, where founder Mike Touma first became captivated by birria as the trend exploded on social media in 2020. Mike developed and perfected the brand's signature recipes before launching a food truck that quickly built a passionate following, often selling out by mid-afternoon. In August 2022, Mike opened the first brick-and-mortar location, followed by additional restaurants as demand continued to grow.

Today, Mike's Red Tacos is led by founder Mike Touma alongside CEO Andrew Feghali, President Vincent Montanelli, and Chairman Bill Phelps. Backed by an accomplished investment group that includes LeBron James and Main Street Advisors, the company is accelerating its nationwide franchise expansion, with more than 300 franchise locations in development.

Named a Yelp Top 100 restaurant in 2023 and a Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concept in 2026, Mike's Red Tacos continues to prioritize culinary innovation, immersive restaurant design and authentic hospitality as it introduces its signature birria experience to communities across the country.

Media Contact
Joshua Levitt
Josh.levitt@mikesredtacos.com

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LeBron James Invests In Mike's Red Tacos as Fast-Growing Birria Brand Enters Its Next Chapter

Investment coincides with the company's first Los Angeles-area restaurant opening in Pasadena as Mike's Red Tacos accelerates its nationwide franchise expansion

LeBron James Invests In Mike's Red Tacos as Fast-Growing Birria Brand Enters Its Next Chapter

Investment coincides with the company's first Los Angeles-area restaurant opening in Pasadena as Mike's Red Tacos accelerates its nationwide franchise expansion

LeBron James Invests In Mike's Red Tacos as Fast-Growing Birria Brand Enters Its Next Chapter

Investment coincides with the company's first Los Angeles-area restaurant opening in Pasadena as Mike's Red Tacos accelerates its nationwide franchise expansion