BRINGING FRESH
NEW FOOD CONCEPTS TO NEW ZEALAND
Over the last 17 years, Mariposa has developed its brands into thriving franchise networks that offer fresh and tasty food to loyal and engaged customers throughout the country. With flagship stores utilised for NPD, training and piloting new initiatives for the wider network, we strive to offer best practise to our franchise operators and the support them to run successful businesses.
1974
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Our roots go back to 1974, at Cantina Los Tres Hombres in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Our founder John Buell, fresh out of business school, got a job as the host in this newly opened Mexican restaurant. After a few years at the Cantina and a failed attempt at opening a similar restaurant in New York City, John moved to Bend, Oregon and opened the first Mexicali Rose restaurant with his partners. From 1979 to 1999 Mexicali Rose was one of the most popular restaurants in this ski town and earned several awards, including Best Mexican Restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. John and Cindy raised their two sons, Conor and Tyler, with Mexicali in their blood, fuelled by burritos and washing pots they could fit inside. In 1992 the family opened Baja Norte, their first fast-casual restaurant with an open display kitchen, colourful graphics and traditional recipes. This concept was inspired by several trips to Cabo San Lucas in Baja California, inspired by the big open grill in the airport and excellent food trucks on the streets. After selling both successful brands and retiring in 1999, the family embarked upon an international adventure. In 2005 they moved to New Zealand and introduced Kiwis to the laid-back California flavours of Mexicali Fresh.
2005
MEXICALI FRESH WAS BORN
The first Mexicali Fresh opened in Princes Wharf, Auckland. We offer fresh, handmade Mexican food bursting with flavour whilst upholding our core values and traditional recipes from our original Cantina. What started as one restaurant, turned into a franchise of 14 outlets around New Zealand which continues to grow today.
2015
ACQUISITION OF BURGER WISCONSIN
With its robust operating systems and successful brand building capabilities, Mariposa acquired the Burger Wisconsin franchise business in 2015. Burger Wisconsin is New Zealand’s original gourmet burger chain, keeping it real since ’89. Burger Wisconsin suburban stores are part of their local community, offering delectable burgers - big in size and made using only the freshest quality ingredients.
2016
TACO JOINT JOINED US
In 2016 Auckland University approached us to provide a quick, inexpensive, fresh and healthy offering for the students and faculty on the Auckland campus. We developed the Taco Joint (powered by Mexicali) as a food truck concept with lower price points and opened a kiosk at the Auckland University. Taco Joint does what is says, great tacos and other fresh Mexican options at a great price, no hassles, no regrets.
2017
HA! POKE LAUNCHES FIRST STORE
In 2017 we developed and launched HA! Poke (Poh-Kay) offering glorious bowls of tasty things, inspired by the popular and emerging poke food trend. Ha! is a little Japanese and very Hawaiian. The first Ha! Poke venue is located on Symonds Street on the Auckland University campus in a very unique shipping container.
2018
INTRODUCED NEW ZEALAND'S
FIRST GHOST KITCHEN CONCEPT
In 2018 we launched the first ghost kitchen concept in New Zealand, Hot Lips Chicken. The ghost kitchen model is designed to operate without the high over heads of a traditional restaurant and take advantage of the third-party delivery platforms.
2020
BRANDED KIOSKS AT NEW WORLD
Mariposa opened NZ’s first supermarket kiosk eatery in partnership with New World Brookfield.
2021
NEW MEXICALI FLAGSHIP STORE OPENS
The new flagship Mexicali store opens in bustling Mt Eden, Auckland with an innovative and scalable new store design that will be roll out across the network.
TODAY
CONTINUE OUR MISSION
Today our mission remains the same – to connect New Zealand families with fresh and authentic food using only the freshest, top quality ingredients. We support local farmers and suppliers, and source only 100% free range NZ chicken, eggs, pork and bacon, and grass-fed NZ beef for our brands. Offering variety and choice, customisation and digital technology solutions to enhance the customer experience.