The Cafe Mexicali story began in 2005 with a single kitchen in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a simple promise: food that is "As Fresh As It Gets." A franchise is a business model that lets independent owners open their own location using an established brand and recipes. Today we serve fresh, scratch-made Mexican food across multiple locations, and we are just getting started.
Where it all started: one Fort Collins kitchen
Back in 2005, Café Mexicali opened its very first location in Fort Collins, Colorado. The idea was straightforward but ambitious: serve Mexican genre food that lives up to the name "As Fresh As It Gets." That meant no shortcuts. Absolutely everything we serve is made from scratch, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
Our guiding rule for every recipe is a fun one. We ask a simple question about each component we build: would you love eating it all by itself? Every sauce, meat, bean, and tortilla has to pass that test. If a bean is good enough to eat on its own, it makes everything it touches better. That obsession with the basics is what turned one Fort Collins restaurant into something people drive across town for.
Meet the owners: Rick and David
Great food does not build itself. Behind Café Mexicali are two owners who bring very different strengths to the table.
Rick Krammer
Rick found his passion for cooking back in college and has been whipping up amazing dishes ever since. He has created and managed several unique restaurant concepts, always bringing his special touch to each one. At Café Mexicali, Rick is not just about great food, he is all about people too. His friendly leadership style keeps everything running smoothly, even when things get challenging. That mix of culinary talent and genuine care for people is a big reason folks come back again and again.
David Hoffman
David Hoffman took a very different road to the restaurant world. His journey started with a role as a Naval Officer in the Nuclear Navy and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah. Those experiences gave him a unique analytical mindset, perfect for understanding and navigating complex environments. His critical thinking skills really shine in the fast-paced, high-pressure atmosphere of a restaurant kitchen.
Put Rick and David together and you get the best of both worlds: heart and precision. One keeps the food and the people at the center, the other keeps the systems humming so that fresh, made-from-scratch cooking can happen every single day, at every location.
Our mission, then and now
The mission has not changed since that first Fort Collins kitchen. At Café Mexicali, our mission is to provide an exceptional dining experience with fresh, scratch-made meals that satisfy and gratify. We focus on delivering bold, balanced flavors using the freshest ingredients, prepared daily.
At Café Mexicali, we serve everyone a smile and flavors we are sure you will love.
We also value the interactions we have with the community. We love building lasting relationships with every visit, whether that is a regular grabbing lunch, a school running a fundraising night, or a big group letting us handle catering for an event. Want to see what "scratch-made" actually looks like in practice? We broke it down in what "As Fresh As It Gets" means in our kitchen.
From one location to many
Growing from a single Fort Collins spot to multiple locations did not happen by watering down what made us special. It happened by protecting it. Each new location has to serve the same fresh, scratch-made food, held to the same standard: every component delicious enough to eat on its own.
Here is a simple look at how the journey has unfolded and where franchising fits in.
| Stage | What it looked like | What stayed the same |
|---|---|---|
| 2005: The beginning | One kitchen in Fort Collins, Colorado | "As Fresh As It Gets," made from scratch daily |
| Growth | Multiple locations serving more communities | Freshest, highest quality ingredients |
| Today: Franchising | New owners bringing the concept to new places | Bold, balanced flavors and a smile for everyone |
You can always find the nearest spot on our locations page, and browse everything we make on the full menu.
Where the Mexican restaurant franchise is headed
We are now franchising, and we are also hiring at multiple locations. That means the Café Mexicali story is opening a brand new chapter, one that other owners get to help write.
What makes this a Mexican restaurant franchise worth talking about? A few things:
- A proven promise. "As Fresh As It Gets" has resonated with customers since 2005. The concept is built on food people genuinely love.
- Scratch-made at the core. Every sauce, meat, bean, and tortilla is made to be delicious on its own. That standard travels with the brand to every new location.
- Owners who care about people and systems. Rick's people-first leadership and David's analytical mindset shape how the whole operation runs.
- Community built in. Fundraising nights and catering are part of who we are, giving each location natural ways to connect with its neighborhood.
If you have ever pictured yourself running a warm, food-obsessed, fresh Mexican spot in your own community, we would love to hear from you. Learn more on our franchising page and see where the story could go next with you in it.
Frequently asked questions
When and where did Café Mexicali start?
Café Mexicali was established in 2005, with its first location in Fort Collins, Colorado. The goal from day one was to serve Mexican genre food that is "As Fresh As It Gets," all made from scratch. We have since grown to multiple locations.
Who owns Café Mexicali?
Café Mexicali is owned by Rick Krammer and David Hoffman. Rick brings a lifelong passion for cooking and a people-first leadership style, while David brings an analytical mindset shaped by his background as a Naval Officer in the Nuclear Navy and a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Utah.
What makes Café Mexicali food different?
Absolutely everything we serve is made from scratch using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, prepared daily. Our standard for every recipe is that each component (sauce, meat, bean, tortilla) should be delicious enough to enjoy all by itself. You can see it all on our full menu.
Is Café Mexicali franchising?
Yes. Café Mexicali is franchising and expanding beyond its Fort Collins roots to new communities. If you are interested in bringing our fresh, scratch-made Mexican food to your area, visit our franchising page to learn more.
Related reading: Best Mexican Food in Fort Collins: A Local Guide
Related reading: Cafe Mexicali Locations: Find Your Nearest Spot
