Mike Rypka has been in the food business since he was 13, and from day one, he knew he was destined to shake things up. With a passion for bold flavors and a rebellious spirit, he earned his Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University in Miami, followed by a degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University.
His culinary career took him from the kitchens of prestigious organizations like the World Bank, MTV Studios, Disney Animation, and Dell Computers to cooking for NFL athletes, Miami’s elite, and even a few Presidents. But the corporate world wasn’t for him—Mike wanted to do things his way.
In 2006, armed with a beat-up food trailer, maxed-out credit cards, and a dream, he launched Torchy’s Tacos in Austin, Texas. His vision? To serve fresh, high-quality, unapologetically unique tacos with flavors that push boundaries. The city quickly took notice, and what started as a single trailer has grown into a cult-favorite brand with over 129 locations across 16 states—and counting.
Now serving as Chief Innovation Officer, Mike continues to drive Torchy’s forward, ensuring the brand stays true to its roots of creativity, quality, and Damn Good food. Beyond the kitchen, he’s passionate about giving back—mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs, supporting second chance hiring, and championing community initiatives through the Torchy’s Family Foundation. His debut book, The Devil in The Details, shares the wild ride of building the Torchy’s Tacos empire from scratch, proving that with grit, hustle, and a little bit of devilish determination, anything is possible.