Tiki Taco ticks up giving alongside expansion; CEO owns up to taco shop’s neighborhood impact model

A month-long campaign in the popular Kansas City-based chain offers easy add-on: joining KC GIFT’s network of donors 

Restaurant executive Eric Knott wants Tiki Taco’s operators to own the neighborhoods into which the popular taco shop expands, he said, but that doesn’t just mean dominating the fast-casual market in each pocket of Kansas City.

Tiki Taco on Troost Avenue; photo courtesy of Tiki Taco

“Our whole business plan starts with each restaurant owning its own community,” said Knott, CEO of KC-built Tiki Taco. “So instead of looking at Tiki Taco as one big company, we look at it as Tiki Taco in Shawnee or Tiki Taco on Troost — each one doing good work within five miles of where it’s located.”

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Across the metro, that approach has sparked partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and civic leaders, most recently with Kansas City G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow), a grassroots organization working to close the racial wealth gap by supporting Black entrepreneurs.

Knott’s connection to the group began when a simple conversation with Brandon Calloway, co-founder of KC G.I.F.T., turned into a shared mission, he explained, pointing to the nonprofit’s model of raising small contributions from a large network of donors.

“Brandon told us his story, and it’s pretty amazing,” Knott recalled. “It’s kind of like the United Way of trying to raise money, just a little bit from a lot of people. We immediately said, ‘Yes, we want to be involved.’”

The result: a month-long campaign inside Tiki Taco locations where customers can round up their checks to benefit KC G.I.F.T. And to further encourage participation, anyone who subscribes to G.I.F.T’s platform in October receives a $10 Tiki Taco gift card.

“He originally asked us to do it for one week,” Knott said. “I told him, ‘A week seems really short; why don’t we do a month? Even if it helps get 100 people on his platform, that’s a win.’ If every business took that same approach, giving what they can for their community, we’d all be in a better place.”

Knott emphasized that the October campaign is the start of something lasting, noting it could return in the same format — either annually or twice a year — or look completely different in the future.

“It’s just a really good collaboration,” he said, emphasizing the goals of giving back while helping introduce Tiki Taco to new communities fit nicely.

Inside Tiki Taco’s new location in Shawnee; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Feeding purpose and positivity

Community engagement has become a core part of Tiki Taco’s identity, Knott said. From hospitals to high schools, each restaurant’s general manager is tasked with finding ways to connect and engage with the nearby neighborhoods.

“Every GM needs to be out in the community, whether it’s local schools, churches, or fundraisers,” he said. “There’s no big or small scale. It could be a kids’ soccer team that needs new jerseys or a senior living fundraiser. The answer is ‘Yes, we want to be involved. Now let’s talk about how.’”

That philosophy extends to Tiki Taco’s staff, who take pride in the company’s inclusive culture and purpose-driven work, Knott added.

“Of course, you have to feel good about the food you serve and the organization you work for,” he said. “We have very low turnover because we treat people well. But I also think younger generations really care that you’re an organization giving back. That matters.”

“I want to help everyone that’s trying to make the world a better place,” Knott continued. “We’re very inclusive, not just in who we hire or who we serve, but in who we support. Anyone doing good, we’re open to helping.”

Tiki Taco’s new location in Shawnee; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

A taste of what’s next

With five brick-and-mortar locations and a food truck, Tiki Taco continues to find new ways to reach Kansas Citians. The brand recently expanded into KU Athletics venues and several hospital cafeterias, giving the business’ team an opportunity to connect with new communities across the metro.

Eric Knott, Tiki Taco; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“It’s not about making a ton of money,” Knott said. “You go into these hospitals, and you meet doctors, nurses, IT staff, patients, and visitors who may not have ever heard of Tiki. It’s great exposure.”

Expansion plans are already in motion, with new locations expected in Liberty and the Northland next year, and longer-term aspirations in Lee’s Summit and the Crossroads. Still, Knott insists that growth will never come at the cost of community.

“Everything we do is about that five-mile radius,” he said. “It’s how you keep it feeling like a community. Even if we get to a point where we have a lot of restaurants, the strategy will always be the same, each one should feel like it belongs to the neighborhood.”

Tiki Taco’s model might be built on tacos, but its foundation comes from a mix of connection, compassion, and a good dose of Kansas City pride, Knott said..

“Our slogan is, it’s a good day to have a good day,” he added. “That goes for everybody. Bring positivity to the world, help where you can, and the community will take care of you too.”

 

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