Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Ramirez.
Hi jorge, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Back in 1999, I started a rock band called Mermelada Bunch in Venezuela. We became quite popular, touring all year round. But as I grew up and had a family of my own, I wanted to start my own business. I decided to learn how to assembly computers that was my fisrt bussines, selling computers. But I always loved eating, and whenever I went to a restaurant, I would analyze the business model.
One day, during a vacation in Miami, I had a hamburger. I thought, “Why are burgers in Venezuela so different from this one?” I wondered if I could recreate that burger at home. So, I started experimenting with different cuts of beef, bread, and sauces, trying to find the perfect burger. I fell in love with cooking and decided to start my own restaurant project in Venezuela in 2013.
Unfortunately, due to the economic and political situation in my country, I never opened the doors of that restaurant. So, I decided to move to the United States in 2015 and open a food truck called Pipo Burgers. I started by myself and with a friend who was a chef but had no experience running a restaurant. The only thing we knew was how to make a great burger. I didn’t even know how to turn on a deep fryer! But with the help of social media and the Venezuelan community in Miami, my business started growing really quickly.
Seven years later, I finally opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant here in Doral.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course it hasn’t been smooth the first three years being new in this country, not knowing all the laws and the rules, failing inspections, paying fines, and learning how to buy my ingredients and trying to compare myself with the big chain. Restaurants was driving me crazy. But years later, after a lot of reading, asking other entrepreneurs I learned that my main goal is not to compete with prices with the big chains, my main goal is to offer a different experience flavors from my country and offering offering a great quality product.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pipo Burgers. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
PIpo Burgers started in 2015 with a few gourmet burgers and an American classic. But after a few months, due to the Venezuelan migration to Miami, the menu changed to more Venezuelan street food, especially from a city called Maracaibo. Today, the menu is 70% Venezuelan and 30% American.
We offer Venezuelan street burgers, smashed burgers, and our most popular burger, the LA QUESUA. It’s a burger with two thick slices of deep-fried cheese instead of a bun. We also have arepas, hotdogs, cachapas, fries, empanadas, tequenos, mandocas, milkshakes, desserts, and Venezuelan drinks.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most valuable lesson I learned during this journey is to treat your employees with respect, as they are the heart and soul of the business. To grow and multiply the business idea, you need to document everything, including recipes, processes, and rules. This will allow anyone to follow your rules without your constant presence. Furthermore, you should create this document from the beginning.
Pricing:
- Parrilla de Picahna Lunch special 12.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pipoburgers.com
- Instagram: @pipoburgers
