Established
1981
Franchise Units
25
Minimum Investment
$900,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$1,400,000
Home Based
No
Description
Las Palapas has become one of Texas’ most recognized fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant concepts—a brand built on flavor, family, and the vibrant spirit of everyday dining that feels like a mini vacation. Known for its warm, tropical-inspired spaces, generous plates, and made-from-scratch recipes, the brand has earned a strong regional presence and an incredibly loyal customer base. From sizzling fajitas and breakfast tacos to frozen margaritas and fresh plates cooked to order, Las Palapas represents the kind of neighborhood restaurant that becomes a weekly habit for countless households.
Driven by consistent quality, strong brand identity, and a proven operational model, Las Palapas has grown from a beloved local eatery into a franchise opportunity designed for long-term, multi-unit growth. Its demand spans dine-in guests, takeout orders, drive-thru customers, and catering clients—creating multiple revenue streams for franchisees. With rising consumer interest in Tex-Mex flavors and fast-casual convenience, Las Palapas is positioned as a high-potential player in the competitive restaurant industry, offering a business model with strong margins, scalable systems, and a loyal customer following.
Why Invest in the Las Palapas Franchise?
Las Palapas offers franchisees a unique blend of market demand, product consistency, and operational simplicity. The brand sits at the intersection of two booming food categories: Tex-Mex cuisine and fast-casual dining—both experiencing long-term growth nationwide. Franchisees benefit from a concept that is approachable, scalable, and supported by decades of operational experience.
Its menu balance of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night offerings ensures all-day revenue opportunities. The brand’s signature dishes have strong repeat-purchase value, and the drive-thru availability attracts frequent local traffic. Las Palapas is also known for high-volume operations, strong unit economics, and a community-engagement style that keeps each location grounded in local culture.
Whether you’re expanding your existing restaurant portfolio or entering the food industry for the first time, Las Palapas provides the support, training, and brand strength needed to succeed.
Background
Established Year: 1981
Founders: Anthony A. Perales and the Perales family
Franchise Active Units (Current Estimate): 25+ locations across Texas
Industry Category: Fast-Casual Tex-Mex / Restaurant Franchise
Las Palapas began in San Antonio, Texas, when the Perales family opened their first restaurant focused on authentic, casual Tex-Mex cuisine with approachable pricing. The concept quickly earned a reputation for its flavorful plates, fast service, and welcoming tropical-influenced atmosphere. Over time, the brand introduced breakfast tacos, traditional plates, classic Tex-Mex dishes, and frozen beverages that became local favorites.
Its early success led to steady expansion across the San Antonio region and surrounding markets. In the following decades, the company streamlined its operations, refined its menu, invested in supply chain partnerships, and formalized its franchise model. Today, Las Palapas remains a Texas-born brand with a strong economic footprint and a reputation for consistent quality. Franchisees benefit from a model proven over more than 40 years of operations.
Support Training
Las Palapas franchisees receive extensive support designed to guide them from pre-opening planning to daily operations and long-term business growth.
Pre-Launch Support:
• Site selection assistance and demographic analysis
• Architectural design, layout guidance, and build-out support
• Vendor onboarding, equipment procurement, and restaurant setup
• Pre-opening marketing strategy and local PR guidance
• Hiring plans and staffing structure support
Operational Training:
• In-restaurant training covering cooking procedures, food quality, safety, and service standards
• Management training on inventory control, labor planning, scheduling, and vendor management
• POS system training and technology onboarding
• Drive-thru operations and best practices
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all menu categories
Marketing & Growth Support:
• Brand-approved promotional materials and digital marketing templates
• Grand opening marketing package
• Social media guidance and seasonal campaign rollouts
• Local store marketing strategy planning
• Reputation management and customer engagement support
Ongoing Franchise Support:
• Field support visits and performance coaching
• Franchisee conferences and continuing education
• Menu updates, operational improvements, and supply chain enhancements
• Dedicated franchise business consultants
• Access to approved vendors, quality-control programs, and updated training materials
Ideal Candidate
Las Palapas is ideal for entrepreneurs who appreciate community-driven restaurants, hands-on operations, and the fast-casual dining space. While restaurant experience is helpful, it is not mandatory if the candidate has strong leadership and customer-focused values.
The ideal franchisee has:
• Passion for hospitality, foodservice, and community presence
• Strong leadership and team-management skills
• Ability to follow a proven system and maintain brand standards
• Adequate capital for multi-unit expansion
• Desire to operate a high-volume, fast-casual restaurant with dine-in and drive-thru service
• Interest in owning a neighborhood-favorite brand with long-term growth potential
• Preference for markets with high residential density, commuter traffic, and strong family demographics
Las Palapas is especially attractive to multi-unit operators, restaurant investors, and entrepreneurs seeking a franchise with strong all-day traffic and a long-standing brand reputation.
Financial Detail
(Estimates may vary by location, size, and city-specific build-out costs)
Total Investment Required: $900,000 – $1,400,000
Minimum Investment Required: Approximately $900,000
Franchise Fee: $40,000 – $50,000
Typical Restaurant Size: 3,000 – 4,500 sq. ft. (with dine-in + drive-thru)
Infrastructure / Build-Out Cost: $600,000 – $1,050,000
Marketing Budget (Grand Opening + Ongoing): $10,000 – $25,000
Working Capital: $75,000 – $150,000
Royalty Fees: Approximately 5% of gross sales
Marketing / Ad Fund: 1%–2% of gross sales
Expected ROI: 2–4 years (depends on sales volume & market conditions)
Break-Even Time: 12–24 months
Revenue Streams:
• Dine-In Sales
• Drive-Thru Orders
• Breakfast Service
• Takeout & Delivery
• Alcoholic Beverages (where permitted)
• Catering & Events
• Seasonal Promotions