Who are we?

Baja Sol began in 1995 with its first fast casual restaurant, Baja Sol Tortilla Grill, in Minneapolis Minnesota. It was one of the very first fast casual restaurants in the Twin Cities to offer fresh Mexican fare, and it opened to instant success. It has since grown into a strong local brand with 2 fast casual concepts, a full service concept, a loyal customer following and a profitable history.

In 2006, Baja Sol, Inc. was purchased by franchisees Bill Cooper along with Tony and Bridget Sutton to form a new company, Baja Sol Restaurants Group.

    Bill Cooper, Director
Chairman and CEO of TCF Financial Corporation, Mr. Cooper brings a lifetime of experience in building companies to this venture.

    Tony Sutton, CEO
Mr. Sutton is the former Deputy State Auditor for the State of Minnesota and has more than 20 years experience in organizational leadership and financial oversight.

    Bridget Sutton, President
Mrs. Sutton has 20 years of experience in small business development and retail marketing with companies such as Macy’s and Dayton’s.

This dynamic ownership team built on the solid foundation of success and retooled Baja Sol,
giving it the power to grow across the country and around the world.

But the team doesn’t end there. Great restaurants don’t happen by accident. Turning a great concept into a successful restaurant business requires excellence in operations and the ability to stay ahead of the trends (and the competition).

    Roger Burks, Vice President of Operations
In today’s competitive market, operational excellence will build a loyal customer base. A veteran of Champp’s, Leann Chin and Levy’s Restaurants, Mr. Burks brings 25 years of restaurant and corporate management experience to Baja Sol’s daily operations and franchisee support.

    Bill Roche, Corporate Chef
Baja Sol built its reputation on its food. Boring stand-bys are not good enough for Baja Sol. Mr. Roche’s culinary career spans 21 years, ranging from Cheesecake Factory, Lettuce Entertain You and Planet Hollywood. Now he uses that experience and passion at Baja Sol to satisfy customers’ evolving tastes in Mexican food and keep them coming back for more.

    Steve Rosenberg, Regional Director of Operations
Strong franchisee support is a hallmark of the Baja Sol system. A veteran of the Fuddruckers’ system, Mr. Rosenberg has managed Baja Sol Tortilla Grill operational systems since 1997. He brings that wealth of knowledge to our franchisees in training and support.

With more than 50 years of combined restaurant management and concept development experience, this team has what it takes to build successful restaurants.

In April of 2007 Baja Sol Restaurants Group opened the doors to the first Baja Sol Cantina, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. A full service concept of the smaller Tortilla Grill, with an expanded menu, full bar, and of course the free chips and salsa bar, it’s no wonder why it opened to instant success.