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Upstate brand Tipsy Taco is returning to some of the early ways that made the restaurant group successful when it debuted in 2016. (Photo/Ghost Brands)
Upstate brand Tipsy Taco is returning to some of the early ways that made the restaurant group successful when it debuted in 2016. (Photo/Ghost Brands)
Tipsy Taco brings back founder Roger Carlton as CEO
Ross Norton // March 23, 2026//
- Tipsy Taco brings back founder Roger Carlton as CEO
- Frank Roman joins as operations owner and partner
- Company refocuses on scratch-made food and guest experience
- Brand expands into North Carolina with new locations
Nearly a decade after opening its doors for the first time, Tipsy Taco is bringing back the vision of the founder by bringing back the founder himself.
The restaurant group is welcoming back founder Roger Carlton as CEO alongside Frank Roman, who steps in as operations owner and partner, according to a news release.
The company says the new chapter will blend its original identity with a renewed vision for the future. The leaders represent both sides of what made the group successful from the start, according to the release: Carlton’s original creative vision and brand heartbeat, paired with Roman’s culinary and operational leadership.
It’s a reset for the company, according to the release.
“For longtime guests, Tipsy Taco was never just about tacos,” the company said in the release. “It was the scratch-made kitchen, the drink specials that filled the bar on a Tuesday night, the atmosphere that felt equal parts neighborhood hangout and celebration spot. Bringing back the original founder restores the philosophy the brand was built on: energetic hospitality, handcrafted food and a social environment that encourages people to stay awhile.”
The group is re-embracing the elements that built its following:
- Return to scratch-kitchen recipes
- Revitalized margarita and drink programs
- Consistent guest experience across locations
- A clear cultural identity for staff and customers
As Tipsy Taco approaches its 10-year milestone, the company is redefining its mission, not simply to grow, but to become the Upstate’s benchmark Tex-Mex experience, the release stated.
While the brand is reconnecting with its roots, it is also growing.
The group’s expansion into North Carolina marks the first step in taking the restaurant regional. A Hendersonville location introduced Tipsy Taco to a new audience, and on Feb. 18, a Brevard location officially opened its doors, bringing the Greenville-born company into a neighboring community that had never experienced the brand before.
The first Tipsy Taco opened in June 2016.
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