Show Notes
In this episode of the Restaurant AI Podcast, host Matt Wampler, Co-Founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, sits down with Kristen Corral, serial entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and Co-Founder of Tacotarian, the fast-growing plant-based Mexican restaurant brand redefining how restaurants build community and loyalty.
Kristen shares her unconventional journey from Las Vegas showgirl to restaurant founder, detailing how she built Tacotarian from an idea into a multi-location brand with a cult following. Along the way, she breaks down what most restaurants get wrong about marketing, why authenticity consistently beats polished advertising, and how operators can turn attention into real customers.
The conversation dives deep into community-first marketing, converting social media followers into email subscribers, avoiding polarizing labels like “vegan,” and designing a brand that invites everyone in. Kristen also shares how she’s expanding Tacotarian into CPG and retail, how AI and modern tools give small brands an advantage over big chains, and why restaurants that listen to their customers win long term.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, founder, marketer, or simply curious about building a brand people genuinely care about, this episode offers practical insights, real examples, and a refreshing perspective on growth in hospitality.
LINKS:
Visit Tacotarian: https://eattacotarian.com
Connect with Kristen Corral on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-corral/
Connect with Matt Wampler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/
Learn more about ClearCOGS: https://www.clearcogs.com
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Coming Up Next
02:58 Kristen’s unlikely path: showgirl to entrepreneur
05:13 Launching Tacotarian and early success
07:28 Why plant-based without alienating guests
09:43 Community-first marketing and storytelling12:38 Turning social media followers into customers
15:28 Avoiding labels and meeting people where they are
18:43 Building loyalty through real engagement
22:13 Retail, CPG, and franchising strategy
25:58 Using AI and tools as a small brand advantage
29:58 Final thoughts and advice for founders
Show notes and full episode: https://www.clearcogs.com/podcasts/how-kristen-corral-built-a-community-driven-restaurant-brand/
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