Jeff Endervelt has been our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since February 2004. He was elected President May 2006. Mr. Endervelt previously served as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Blimpie International, Inc. from January 2002 until October 2005. Mr. Endervelt is also President and CEO of Blimpie of California, Inc., (BOC) Blimpie’s Southern California subfranchisor in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Endervelt has served as President and Chairman of the Board of various public and private companies involved in the consumer products field, including food and non-food products and services since 1974.

Mr. Navarro has been our Vice President and Executive Chef February 2008.From February 2007 to October 2007, Mr. Navarro was the Executive Chef of Lava Flow Ventures, an area developer of ours. From June 2005 to October 2007, Mr. Navarro was the Executive Chef/ CO-Owner of Navarro Mexican Grill & Bar in San Antonio, Texas. From 1983 to March 2005, he was the Executive Chef of Compadres Bar & Grill in Honolulu, Hawaii

Alonzo Botta traces his franchising roots to childhood, having grown up in the industry. His family started Mail Boxes Etc/The UPS Store in 1980 and Alonzo has been hooked on franchising ever since. Mr. Botta has worked in just about every capacity at various levels with both established and start-up franchise brands. Mr. Botta has extensive experience in International Licensing of American brands abroad. Mr. Botta fell in love with our salsas in 2003 when he first became involved with Maui Tacos and is still the self-proclaimed biggest fan of our Fish Tacos.

Celebrity Chef Mark Ellman began his culinary career at age 13 in Los Angeles, California. His entrepreneurial spirit was born some years after when he and his wife Judy launched Cant Rock ‘n’ Roll, But Sure Can Cook, a catering company for rock stars and recording studios in Malibu, California. He didn’t stop there, over the years, Chef Ellman and his partners opened several restaurants on the West Coast before he and his wife Judy decided it was time for a change and relocated to Hawaii. There Mark opened the acclaimed Avalon restaurant in 1988 across the street from the beach in Lahaina, Maui. With Avalon’s reputation for unique Pacific Rim cuisine, Chef Ellman became known as one of the original 12 Hawaii Regional Chefs. Chef Ellman realized that paradise lacked great Mexican food and as a result opened the first Maui Tacos in 1993 in Napili, Maui. Chef Ellman opened several more locations throughout the islands before launching the brand on the mainland.

Chef Ellman’s resume is filled with well-earned awards and experiences. He has been featured on television programs such as “Emril” and “The TODAY Show” and in several magazines including Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, House and Garden, Bon Appetit and L.A. Style. Chef Mark and Judy Ellman own and operate 8 Maui Tacos on the islands, as well as MALA Ocean Tavern and Penne Pasta Cafe.

Chef Vega was born and raised in Tepa, Mexico. His mother, a Chef and teacher at a local culinary institute, was a big influence on his career. Chef Vega went to Hawaii in 1985 to work with Compadres, a Mexican restaurant which had him traveling between restaurants in Honolulu, Lahaina, Napa and Australia. Chef Vega returned to Hawaii for good in 1996 to work for Maui Tacos. Together with Chef Sergio Perez and Chef Mark Ellman they opened several Maui Tacos locations and partnered in the successful Penne Pasta Café and MALA Ocean Tavern. Pepe’s involvement in community and church along with a little surfing keep him very busy on his little island called Maui.