On this episode of Run The Pass, Host Andre Natera talked with Michael Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer and President at Chronic Tacos Enterprises, Inc., where he oversees the strategic vision of the fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand. The duo talked about Mohammed’s career, Chronic Tacos, and creating a vibe.

Mohammed and his three brothers first became affiliated with Chronic Tacos back in 2010, when they helped finance the chain’s expansion into Canada. They noticed the potential for the brand and, in 2012, took it over. While they do have one store in Montgomery, Texas, most of their locations are in California. For him and the brand, it’s all about “living the taco life.”

Founded in 2004 by two friends in Orange County, California, they set out to create taqueria-style food with a Southern California vibe. The taco life.

“They wanted something fun, with an atmosphere,” Mohammed said. “The recipes they got from family friends are third-generation recipes, really authentic, and they wanted to kind of meld that into a vibe with music playing, a real, local feel and somewhere fun...It’s that southern California vibe.”

His background isn’t in restaurants, though he has grown into the role. After earning an MBA at Saint Martin’s University in Washington State, he eventually landed at Boeing as a Financial Analyst. Then he stumbled into sales at his family’s business, Cattermole Group, where he worked his way up to President in 2004. In this role, he focused the company on investment and real estate projects.