Agave & Rye
Agave & Rye is a privately held, self-funded fast-casual restaurant chain operating 19 company-owned locations across five U.S. states, specializing in signature double-shelled tacos, scratch-made margaritas, and an extensive tequila and bourbon program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersCovington, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Agave & Rye does
Agave & Rye is a privately held, self-funded fast-casual restaurant chain founded in 2018 by Yavonne Sarber in Covington, Kentucky, and operated under the parent company Epic Brands. The company operates 19 company-owned locations across five U.S. states (Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Indiana), with a stated growth plan to reach 100 restaurants. Its core offering centers on a signature double-shelled taco architecture filled with globally-inspired proteins (peppercorn kangaroo, lobster, birria, wagyu) and an extensive tequila and bourbon program of over 70 selections each. Operations are built on a scratch kitchen model with no frozen ingredients, daily fresh-squeezed limes for margaritas, and seasonal menu rotation developed by a Corporate Creative Chef (CIA-trained).
The business monetizes through multiple revenue streams: in-restaurant dine-in, online ordering via its own platform (order.agaveandrye.com) and mobile app for carryout and delivery, off-site catering (Epic Boxes, Creation Station, A la Carte, Libation Packages) and on-site event hosting booked through TripleSeat, the EPIC Rewards tiered loyalty program, physical and virtual gift cards, and branded merchandise. Average ticket economics are anchored by the $15.95 Taco Flight (mix-and-match three Epic tacos). Distribution is exclusively company-owned with no franchising currently, although employee-focused franchise opportunities are being developed under a related concept (Papi Jocho's). The company differentiates through unique menu architecture, immersive location-specific street-art décor, vintage arcade games at select sites, the Alibi premium spirits lounge sub-brand (Covington, Chattanooga), and a stated employee-first culture offering health insurance and career advancement paths. The company is debt-free and bootstrapped since its fourth location.
Agave & Rye firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Agave & Rye
- Legal name
- Agave & Rye
- Website
- https://agaveandrye.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Agave & Rye is a privately held, self-funded fast-casual restaurant chain operating 19 company-owned locations across five U.S. states, specializing in signature double-shelled tacos, scratch-made margaritas, and an extensive tequila and bourbon program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Agave & Rye industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fast-Casual Mexican Restaurant Chain
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mexican & Tex-Mex Fast Casual (THAFABAC)
Keywords
Where Agave & Rye is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Covington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices18 records
Markets served
Agave & Rye business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Restaurant Dining: Dine-in service at all restaurant locations featuring epic tacos, margaritas, and full bar with tequila and bourbon selections.
- Online Ordering: Direct online ordering platform for carryout and delivery through order.agaveandrye.com.
- Catering & Events: Off-site catering and on-site event hosting services with Epic Boxes, Creation Station, A la Carte options, and Libation Packages.
- Loyalty Program: EPIC Rewards loyalty program with points earned per dollar spent, tiers include Certified Epic, Certified Gangsta, and Certified Crown Jewel.
- Gift Cards: Physical and virtual gift cards available for purchase online and at all locations.
- Merchandise: Online merch shop selling branded apparel and swag through abhcustomapparel.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Taco Flight - Mix & Match 3 Epic Tacos |
| Subscription | Monthly | Certified Epic (Entry Level) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Certified Gangsta (5,000+ Points) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Certified Crown Jewel (15,000+ Points) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
Agave & Rye product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Agave & Rye operates a fast-casual restaurant chain serving a Mexican-inspired menu built around its signature double-shelled "Epic Tacos" made from scratch, alongside hand-shaken margaritas, premium tequila and bourbon programs, and themed dining lounges (such as The Alibi). Beyond in-restaurant service, the company sells catering packages and hosts on-site events, while also monetizing digital channels through online ordering, a loyalty program, gift cards, and branded merchandise.
Product overview
Agave & Rye is a fast-casual restaurant chain operating 19+ locations across multiple states, specializing in epic tacos and margaritas. The core offering centers on their signature double-shelled tacos, scratch-made margaritas using fresh-squeezed limes, and an extensive tequila and bourbon selection. The product portfolio includes: core dine-in/restaurant experience featuring Epic Tacos; Catering Services for off-site events; On-Site Events for private gatherings; EPIC REWARDS loyalty program with mobile app; Alibi Premium Lounge (premium spirits experience at select locations); online ordering system; gift cards; and merch shop. Additional offerings include Taco Flights for sampling and downloadable allergen guides.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Alibi: Premium lounge experience featuring rare tequilas and bourbons with tapas menu, located within select Agave & Rye locations in Chattanooga and Covington.
Products and services
- Epic Tacos & Restaurant Dining Experience
- Catering Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,080,000 chips served per week
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Agave & Rye
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Agave & Rye technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
Agave & Rye partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators12 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Agave & Rye competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: Chipotle is the dominant Mexican fast-casual chain in the US, serving burritos, bowls, and tacos with a focus on fresh ingredients. It competes with Agave & Rye for Mexican fast-casual occasions but operates at vastly greater scale nationally.
- Taco Bell: Taco Bell is the largest Mexican QSR chain in the US, commanding massive share of the value-oriented Mexican occasion. While its price point and QSR format differ from Agave & Rye, it competes for the same general consumer taco occasion.
- Chuy's: Chuy's is a full-service Tex-Mex chain known for its fun atmosphere, handmade tortillas, and strong margarita program. Its focus on scratch Mexican food and signature margaritas overlaps with Agave & Rye's fresh-squeezed, scratch-kitchen positioning, though Chuy's sits in the full-service segment.
Direct peers
- Moe's Southwest Grill: Moe's is a Mexican fast-casual chain serving burritos, tacos, and quesadillas with a fun, branded atmosphere. Its broad menu, franchise model, and national footprint make it one of the closest direct competitive analogs to Agave & Rye.
- Qdoba Mexican Eats: Qdoba is a Mexican fast-casual chain competing head-to-head with Chipotle and Moe's for build-your-own burrito, taco, and bowl occasions. Its customizable format and national presence overlap directly with Agave & Rye's addressable customer.
- Velvet Taco: Velvet Taco is a premium taco-focused fast-casual concept offering globally-inspired, chef-driven taco creations in an upscale setting. Its positioning around unique, Instagram-worthy tacos and full bar service makes it one of the closest concept analogs to Agave & Rye's premium taco niche.
- Torchy's Tacos: Torchy's Tacos is a premium, chef-driven taco chain with a strong bar program and creative menu. Its emphasis on unique taco recipes, premium spirits, and a vibrant atmosphere closely mirrors Agave & Rye's positioning and target occasion.
- Condado Tacos: Condado is a build-your-own taco concept with a full bar and premium spirits focus, originating in Columbus, OH. Its overlap with Agave & Rye's Columbus core market, premium positioning, and bar-driven model make it a direct local competitor.
- Fuzzy's Taco Shop: Fuzzy's is a fast-casual taco shop chain with a Baja-inspired menu and full bar, with multiple Midwest locations. Its casual atmosphere, taco focus, and bar program overlap with Agave & Rye's experience-led positioning.
- Bar Taco: Bar Taco is a taco and tequila-focused fast-casual concept featuring street-style tacos, craft cocktails, and a beach-inspired atmosphere. Its taco-plus-bar model and emphasis on tequila selection align closely with Agave & Rye's core proposition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Agave & Rye social profiles
Digital presenceAgave & Rye financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Agave & Rye leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Agave & Rye subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Agave & Rye funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Agave & Rye M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Agave & Rye
What does Agave & Rye do?
Agave & Rye operates a fast-casual restaurant chain serving a Mexican-inspired menu built around its signature double-shelled "Epic Tacos" made from scratch, alongside hand-shaken margaritas, premium tequila and bourbon programs, and themed dining lounges (such as The Alibi). Beyond in-restaurant service, the company sells catering packages and hosts on-site events, while also monetizing digital channels through online ordering, a loyalty program, gift cards, and branded merchandise.
Is Agave & Rye a public or private company?
Agave & Rye is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Agave & Rye founded?
Agave & Rye was founded in 2018. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Agave & Rye based?
Agave & Rye is headquartered in Covington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Agave & Rye make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Restaurant Dining is the primary driver. The others are online Ordering, catering & Events, loyalty Program, gift Cards and merchandise.
Who are Agave & Rye's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell and Chuy's. Direct peers are Moe's Southwest Grill, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Velvet Taco, Torchy's Tacos, Condado Tacos, Fuzzy's Taco Shop and Bar Taco.
Does Agave & Rye have an API?
No public API is recorded for Agave & Rye.
What industry is Agave & Rye in?
Agave & Rye's product category is Fast-Casual Mexican Restaurant Chain. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFABAC, Mexican & Tex-Mex Fast Casual. Its NAICS code is 722513 and its SIC code is 5810.