Goodbye to this beloved Mexican food restaurant. Z’Tejas has been open for more than three decades, and it was synonymous with flavor and hospitality. Unfortunately, its last location, in Kyle (Texas) had to close for good, but the most surprising thing is the way they closed their restaurants.
Its owner, Randy Cohen, tried to save the legacy, but was unsuccessful in securing a sale because we live in a country where giants like Taco Bell and Chipotle are the top food chains preferred by people. So, the closing of this Mexican food restaurant reflects a difficult reality for many restaurants in the U.S. Here, we will find out about the strange way they ‘’announced’’ Z’Tejas’ final days.
Sad news for Z’Tejas customers
Z’Tejas, a Mexican food restaurant chain with its most activity in Texas and Arizona, has closed all of its locations after more than 30 years in business. What’s surprising is that the reason for the closure had nothing to do with bankruptcy, which is very common in these cases. The last day for this Mexican food restaurant was on June 30, and customers had no clue about it on social networks or press announcements, which was very strange for their customers because they didn’t know what was going on with their favorite restaurant.
The Mexican food restaurant success
Z’Tejas was born in 1989 in Austin, Texas, specifically on the iconic 6th Street, a place well known for its cultural and gastronomic life. With the passage of time, the restaurant expanded and became one of the gastronomic references of the southwestern United States. Z’Teja caught their customers’ attention due to a vibrant mix of flavors, with original recipes. People will remember two of their signature dishes: the cornbread served in a cast iron skillet and the street corn risotto. Sounds so tasty, doesn’t it?
Economic challenges
Despite its popularity, Z’Tejas faced many economic challenges since the pandemic and they couldn’t overcome them. The Mexican food restaurant explained that its situation became unsustainable for several reasons:
- The increase in operating costs, such as inputs, staff salaries and services.
- The change in consumer habits, especially with the higher number of people working remotely, resulted in less people going out to eat during office hours.
- People prefer affordable alternatives to the general price increase, such as Taco Bell or Chipotle.
- The increase in commercial rent. Although it was a fixed expense, in many cases, it was the most decisive and difficult aspect to deal with.
Trying not to disappear
Over the last year, Z’Tejas has been gradually closing its stores, and most people haven’t noticed it. At the beginning of this year, its owner, Randy Cohen, tried to sell the business so that someone could continue with the brand and prevent its disappearance. However, he couldn’t do it and that’s when he had to make the difficult choice of closing forever.
A quiet goodbye
Something we already mentioned is the silent way in which Z’Tejas said goodbye. We are used to companies making announcements on social media or organizing an event when they decide to close, but this was not the case, not even a single publication. The total absence of messages on networks left many followers with more questions than answers. The farewell was discreet, almost private, which for some was a sign of respect, but for others a lack of emotional closure.
Customers won’t forget about Z’Tejas
Z’Tejas is closing, but their most frequent customers won’t forget about this beloved place. When the company decided to make a statement, they thanked their customers for their support over the years. For many people, this place was more than a simple Mexican food restaurant, it was a place for family gatherings, first dates, special meals or simply authentic flavor in a cozy atmosphere. So, it’s very sad the company had to go through this situation. Do you think the restaurant will reopen in the future?