Border Foods LLC

0. Company Stats

Industry: Food Service

Founded: 1996

Size: 7,500

Location: New Hope, MN

Stage: Established

Stock Symbol: N/A

Work Style: Onsite

1. Company Snapshot

Border Foods is one of the largest privately-held Taco Bell franchisees in the United States, operating 250+ restaurants across 10 states in the Upper Midwest including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Founded by brothers Jeff and Lee Engler in 1996 through the acquisition of 63 Taco Bell locations, the family-owned company has grown from its early roots as Los Primos, a small Mexican restaurant chain the brothers started in the late 1970s. Border Foods employs over 7,500 team members and prides itself on a people-first culture and promoting from within. The company gained national attention in 2022 for opening the first-ever Taco Bell Defy concept in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, featuring a futuristic two-story drive-thru with a proprietary vertical lift system designed to deliver food in under two minutes.

2. Culture & Gen Z Alignment

Family-First Philosophy

Border Foods emphasizes a deeply embedded family culture that permeates from orientation through every level of the organization. Employees consistently describe feelings of camaraderie, with the company hosting annual Family Fun Days appreciation events and creating programs like the Carol Williams Scholarship to support team members pursuing higher education. The company's motto "Making Lives Better" reflects a genuine commitment to employee development and community connection.

Promoting From Within

Border Foods has a clear career progression map showing employees exactly how to advance from entry-level food service champion positions to team trainer, shift manager, assistant general manager, and beyond. Many of the company's district managers who joined in the early days remain with the organization today, demonstrating long-term career potential. The company philosophy prioritizes internal promotion, creating opportunities for ambitious team members to grow with the brand.

Innovation & Future-Forward Thinking

As the operator of the groundbreaking Taco Bell Defy concept and recipient of the honor of naming Taco Bell's nationwide POS system "ANNspire," Border Foods demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to the quick-service restaurant industry. The company invests significantly in technology, remodels, and new construction, spending $12-18 million annually on improvements and expansion, creating opportunities to be part of an evolving and innovative organization.

3. What Employees Say

Company Ratings

Glassdoor: 3.6/5

Indeed: 3.3/5

Pros:

- Benefits Package: Comprehensive health and dental coverage, paid vacation for qualifying employees, and 401k with up to 7% company match after one year

- Career Development: Strong emphasis on promoting from within with clear advancement pathways and leadership development programs

- Scholarship Opportunities: Carol Williams Scholarships ($5,500) and Border Foods Scholarships ($3,000) available for team members pursuing higher education

- Team Environment: Many locations report supportive coworkers, fun work atmosphere, and genuine family-like culture among staff

Cons:

- Work-Life Balance: Management positions frequently require 50-80+ hour weeks with significant demands on personal time and inconsistent scheduling

- Location Variability: Quality of management and work environment varies dramatically between locations, with some sites reporting excellent experiences while others cite serious issues

- Compensation: Pay is often perceived as average to below-average compared to competitors, with raises described as infrequent and based on favoritism rather than merit

- Upper Management Disconnect: Some employees report that corporate leadership is focused primarily on metrics and numbers rather than employee wellbeing

4. Compensation & Benefits Snapshot

- Team members earn $12-15 per hour depending on location and experience

- Shift leads average $31,625 annually ($12.75-16 per hour)

- Shift managers earn approximately $15 per hour

- Assistant General Managers earn $14-36 per hour depending on experience and location

- Restaurant General Managers earn $50,000-100,000 annually with bonus potential

- Area Coaches (regional management) earn approximately $97,712 annually

- Health and dental insurance available for team members with 1+ year employment averaging 30+ hours weekly

- 401k with 100% company match up to 7% after one year of service

- Paid vacation for qualifying employees, granted on work anniversary dates

- Tuition reimbursement for Shift Leaders and above through Border Foods Tuition Reimbursement Program

- Paid GED program through Taco Bell Corporation

- Annual bonus potential up to $3,315 for Shift Leads, with higher bonuses for management

- Border Share appreciation rights program for above-restaurant leaders allowing employees to earn equity-like shares

- Best of the Best all-expense-paid trip to Mexico for top-performing managers annually

5. Why Gen Z Might Thrive Here

- Clear Career Ladder: Explicit progression map from entry-level to management positions with emphasis on internal promotion creates defined advancement opportunities

- Educational Support: Substantial scholarship programs ($3,000-$5,500), tuition reimbursement, and paid GED programs support continuing education goals

- Innovation Exposure: Work with cutting-edge restaurant technology including the Taco Bell Defy concept and ANNspire POS system

- Quick Advancement: Fast promotion opportunities for strong performers, with some employees reporting advancement within weeks or months

- Family Culture: Genuine emphasis on community, teamwork, and treating employees as family members rather than replaceable workers

- Young Workforce: Fast-paced environment with many Gen Z coworkers creates relatable workplace dynamics

- Fast-Paced Environment: High-energy work suits those who thrive in busy settings and prefer active days over slow shifts

6. What Gen Z Should Ask Or Consider

- What is the current management quality and team culture at this specific location, and can you provide examples of how they support work-life balance?

- What is the typical timeline for advancement from team member to shift lead to management positions at this location?

- How are raises determined, and what is the frequency and percentage of typical pay increases?

- What are the expected weekly hours for this position, and how does scheduling work for requesting time off and managing availability?

- Are the scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs actively used at this location, and what is the application process?

- How does upper management at this location prioritize employee wellbeing alongside metrics and performance goals?

- What is the staffing level at this restaurant, and how often are employees required to work mandatory overtime or cover additional shifts?

- Can you describe the training and support provided to new employees and those stepping into leadership roles?

7. Locations & Where Border Foods Hires

- Headquarters in New Hope, Minnesota (Minneapolis metro area) with 40 corporate employees

- 250+ Taco Bell locations across 10 states in the Upper Midwest

- Major presence in Minnesota (100+ locations including the Twin Cities metro, Rochester, Duluth, and smaller cities statewide)

- Significant operations in Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and the Dakotas

- Growing footprint in Montana, Wyoming, Illinois, and Nebraska

- Hiring for all positions from team members and cashiers to shift leads, managers, and area coaches

- Strong recruitment focus in college towns and communities throughout the Upper Midwest

8. How Border Foods Works

Work Style

Available: Onsite

Work Environment

Available: Retail, Field

Benefits

Border Foods provides comprehensive health and dental insurance coverage for team members who have been employed for over one year and average 30+ hours per week. The company offers a 401k retirement plan with 100% company matching up to 7% of salary after one year of service. Paid vacation is granted on each work anniversary date for qualifying employees. Leadership positions are eligible for tuition reimbursement through the Border Foods Tuition Reimbursement Program, and all employees can access a paid GED program through Taco Bell Corporation. The company provides substantial scholarship opportunities including the Carol Williams Scholarship (up to $5,500) and Border Foods Scholarship ($3,000) for team members pursuing higher education. Above-restaurant leaders are eligible for Border Share, an appreciation rights program allowing employees to earn equity-like shares that grow in value as the company expands. Top performers qualify for the annual Best of the Best all-expense-paid trip to Mexico. The company emphasizes a family-first culture with annual Family Fun Day appreciation events and strong focus on promoting from within.

9. Awards & Recognition

- <a href="https://tcbmag.com/honors/border-foods/">Twin Cities Business Family Business Award</a>

11. Sources

Last Updated: January 6, 2026

- Company Website: https://borderfoods.com/

- Company History: https://borderfoods.com/story/

- Glassdoor Reviews: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Border-Foods-Reviews-E19978.htm

- Indeed Reviews: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Border-Foods/reviews

- Twin Cities Business: https://tcbmag.com/border-foods-ceos-goal-100-more-taco-bells-in-the-midwest/

- Salary Data: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Border-Foods/salaries

- Benefits Information: https://borderfoods.com/job-perks/