A Taste of Mexico: 200 Fun and Catchy Mexican Restaurant Name Ideas

What’s in a restaurant’s name? A business name helps customers remember your restaurant and make it easier for people to recommend your company. Choosing the right name can set the tone and help you attract a targeted audience. Some restaurants aim to be quirky, while others focus on serving business executives. There are a lot of audiences, and the name you choose can impact who comes to your restaurant and comes back. This article will explore ideas for a Mexican restaurant name and ways to get your business started.

Why a Mexican Restaurant Name Is Important

A restaurant name is important for retaining customers and attracting new ones. People who enjoy eating at your restaurant will remember the name and let their friends know about it. You can get new customers through word of mouth, but some people will come across your restaurant while walking in the area or looking for nearby restaurants on their smartphones. A good name tells potential customers what to expect if they pay a visit. The right name can bring more business to your Mexican restaurant and give you a competitive edge.

How to Choose the Best Name for a Mexican Restaurant

Your restaurant’s name is the foundation of your branding. It’s how people remember you and the experiences they have at your restaurant. These tips will help you discover the right name for your Mexican restaurant.

Decide on the Mexican Food You’re Offering

The food you offer should play a role in your restaurant’s name. Nachos and tacos are popular Mexican foods, and some restaurants create names around these foods. However, you can also create a name around chicken or steak if that is your restaurant’s main offering. If you want to open a vegan restaurant, a name around chicken or steak would not make sense.

Consider Your Target Audience

Before you finalize a name, think of the type of person you want to attract to your restaurant. You can emphasize your restaurant’s affordability in the name if you appeal to that audience. A higher-scale restaurant offering vegan food will have a different type of name than a budget restaurant that serves hamburgers and other types of meat.

Choose a Name That Is Unique and Has a Story to Tell

Letting your audience know about the food you offer and who you want to attract will give you a good start with your name. Some names take this foundation and combine it with good storytelling. You may want to review personal anecdotes, Mexican icons, and the country’s history when brainstorming a name that has a story.

Ask for Feedback from Family and Friends

Once you write down a few good ideas for your business name, present the list to your friends and family. Your intimate circle of peers can provide feedback that helps you determine the name of your restaurant. It is a good idea to get multiple perspectives instead of leaning exclusively on your thoughts.

Check the Domain Name Availability

Customers will search for your restaurant online, and you will want a domain that matches your restaurant’s name. Some people will put [your restaurant name].com and see if your website comes up. Creating any confusion for customers looking for your restaurant online can deter new customers and reduce returning visitors. Picking a name that another restaurant already uses can result in lost business from the existing restaurant. If you name your restaurant Dunkin’, you will lose customers to the established Dunkin’ brand and likely face legal challenges.

200 Mexican Restaurant Name Ideas

*Note: The names listed above are intended for inspiration only. Names may be in use and or availability subject to change.

How to Start Your Mexican Restaurant in 11 Easy Steps

Now that you have a name, it’s time to set your idea into motion. Follow these steps to open the doors to your Mexican restaurant.

Draft a Business Plan

Every business needs a roadmap that details its objectives, ways to achieve them, and potential risks. This roadmap is your business plan, and creating one will increase your chances of success. Business plans are not set in stone and go through frequent changes, but having one will guide your actions and increase productivity.

Choose a Business Structure

A business owner can choose from multiple types of structures for their business entity. Each business structure comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s read the following to find out what they are.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a great choice for business owners who want to embark on their restaurants alone. They don’t have any partners or a board of directors telling them what to do. A sole proprietorship gives you more freedom and access to all of the profits, but you also have to cover all of the losses. Not every business owner can survive and thrive by working alone. Your personal and business finances also run the risk of getting tangled together.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC provides the flexibility of sole proprietorships while giving you the choice to work with other people. It offers favorable tax treatment and separates the company’s legal liabilities from personal assets. However, this business structure has expensive annual renewal fees, and it’s harder to get investors because of how LLCs are structured. 

Partnership

A partnership lets you work together with a friend, family member, or colleague. Each person has access to the company’s assets and acts as a co-owner. Having partners can increase your profits and productivity if everyone works together effectively. However, partners can also slow down progress if they disagree often, and you won’t have as much freedom compared to working alone.

Corporation

Corporations have favorable tax treatment and help business owners who want investors. While corporations have tax advantages, they also expose you to double taxation and complex reporting. It isn’t as simple to run a corporation as a sole proprietorship. 

Choose a Good Location 

Your restaurant’s location is crucial. A busy part of town can help you get new customers, while a quiet part of town can hurt your potential revenue. It’s also important to consider how the monthly rent or mortgage payments will impact your profits. A location in Manhattan can bring many customers to your restaurant, but high rent payments can eat up your company’s profits.

Register Your Business

Registering your business provides tax benefits, legal protection, and other perks. It’s a good idea to register your business as soon as you set up your company. The rules and process vary for each state. You can register your business with a federal, state, or local agency.

Obtain Licenses and Permits

Licenses and permits let your restaurant operate legally and serve customers. Each state has different requirements, but you can expect to need a restaurant permit, food protection certificate, and other documents.

Open a Business Bank Account

A business bank account separates your personal finances from your business funds. This distinction adds legal protection and can improve your business credit score. Generally, to open a business bank account you will need the business name, address, and your Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Get Business Insurance

Business insurance adds a layer of financial security for your business. Insurance policies can help you sleep better at night, knowing your company has safeguards. Here are a few of the available business insurance policies to protect your business:

  • General liability insurance
  • Commercial property insurance 
  • Workers’ Comp
  • Data breach insurance
  • Business income insurance

Look for Funding if Necessary

You might need a loan or venture capital to grow your business in the early stages. Getting additional capital can also help during slow seasons. Borrowing money to keep up with inventory leaves you more prepared for the busy seasons.

Buy Equipment and Supplies

Restaurants need equipment and supplies to serve customers and increase efficiency. New businesses may want to consider leasing equipment to get started, but purchasing equipment can save you money in the long run.

Recruit, Hire, and Train Your Team

A restaurant needs waiters, chefs, and other team members to run smoothly. You can start your search for great team members and train them so they serve customers well.

Market Your Business

Once you have everything set up, it’s time to tell people about your restaurant. Business owners can use many resources to market their businesses, such as digital marketing, advertising, and word-of-mouth. Monitor your results to determine which marketing channels generate the best ROI.

Launch Your Mexican Restaurant

Starting up your Mexican restaurant can feel exciting. All of the build-up may seem stressful at times, but the grand opening can make your efforts feel worth it. Some restaurants stay open for decades and become fixtures within their communities. People who have been your customers for many years may take their kids to your restaurant in the future. 

A restaurant can have a great impact on a community. If you’re wondering where to start, doola can help. Our services range from business formation to bookkeeping and can help you start, run, and grow your business.

FAQs

What is another word for a Mexican restaurant?

Taqueria is another word for a Mexican restaurant. Mexican restaurants in Mexico are also sometimes called fondas or fonditas. 

Is a Mexican restaurant a profitable business?

A Mexican restaurant can be a profitable business. Profit margins are lower in the restaurant industry than in most industries, but it’s possible to make money with a Mexican restaurant. 

How much does it cost to start a Mexican restaurant?

Starting a restaurant can cost anywhere from $95,000 to $2 million, depending on the area, the restaurant’s size, and other factors.

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