It’s been 10 years since Stephen Hopper opened his first Plan Burrito store in Loughborough. Launching on the 4th of May 2015, Steve had no formal experience in the food industry and just £10,000 to his name.
A former design engineer with a passion for street food, Hopper relied on hands-on learning and the support of his late father, who helped fit out the store himself, to bring his vision to life. Ten years on, that vision has grown into one of the UK’s fastest-rising Tex-Mex franchises.
Born out of frustration with the bland and overpriced Tex-Mex options he encountered across the UK, Hopper set out to disrupt the scene with bold flavours, honest pricing, and a customer-first ethos.
In hindsight, Hopper admits one early misstep: trying too hard to replicate authentic Mexican cuisine instead of catering to British palates: “I learned that being “authentic to yourself” can be more valuable than sticking rigidly to tradition.”
It didn’t take long for customers to respond to what Plan Burrito had to offer. Six months after opening, Hopper launched a second outlet in Loughborough dedicated to handling growing delivery demand.
Plan Burrito has grown steadily since franchising began in 2022. With 13 sites now trading, including locations in Guildford, Ramsgate, and Norwich, the company has set its sights on doubling that footprint within 18 months.
London is a key target market, with recent openings in Camberwell and a second central London site in development.
Hopper credits this rapid expansion to a deliberately accessible franchise model saying: “Our franchise package is very affordable compared to others in the sector. The operational simplicity keeps labour costs low, and our versatile footprint means we can slot into a wide range of spaces.”
The franchising journey wasn’t rushed. Hopper spent years refining processes, opening pilot stores, and crafting an operations manual before partnering with franchise consultant Charlie Dickson from Ashtons in 2022 to launch their development programme.
Under Stephen’s leadership Plan Burrito has garnered numerous industry accolades including:
- Best Mexican Franchise England at the National QSR Awards 2025
- Silver Award for Best New Franchisor in England at the Virtual Franchising Awards 2023
- Best Street Food Cuisine Restaurant Franchise 2021 by SME News Midlands Enterprise Awards.
While business growth has been steady, Hopper admits balancing the demands of running a QSR brand with family life isn’t always easy.
With three young children, including one with special needs, home life is as full-on as his workday: “It’s a challenge, but I’ve built a trusted team that makes it all possible.”
Stephen makes the most of his free time with his family saying: “I love taking the caravan out with my partner and kids to explore the UK.
We’ve discovered some incredible coastlines and enjoy simple pleasures, like traditional fish and chips by the seaside, which always tastes better fresh and salty from the sea air.”
Despite the brand’s increasing national presence and a string of industry awards, Hopper remains grounded in his mission to make business ownership more accessible. He’s especially proud of the impact Plan Burrito has had on its franchisees.
He said: “When someone tells me that owning a franchise has changed their life, that they finally feel in control of their future, that’s the most rewarding part of all of this.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hopper offers one piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “You don’t need experience. What you need is belief, persistence, and a lot of elbow grease.”