Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin OBrien.
Hi Justin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Tim and Justin have been friends since the third grade, their entrepreneurial journey beginning at a young age—selling laptop computers and trading cards in the early days of the internet. By high school, Tim had ventured into real estate, while Justin became a mortgage broker. After finding early success in their respective fields, they set their sights on a new challenge: the restaurant industry.
In 2006, after researching opportunities, they opened their first fast-casual franchise, The Pita Pit, eventually expanding to eight locations across Florida. Their experience as franchise owners was invaluable—it taught them not only what to do but, more importantly, what not to do in the restaurant business. Recognizing opportunities to improve systems, operations, and franchisee support, they decided to sell off their Pita Pit locations and build something of their own.
That vision led to the creation of 3 Pepper Burrito Co. The first location opened in Cape Coral, FL—right next to the high school where their friendship began.
Their experience as franchisees first, before becoming franchisors, shaped their approach to business. They understood the importance of building strong systems before scaling, ensuring franchisees had the support they needed to succeed. They made a commitment to transparency—passing savings along to franchisees rather than building in kickbacks, a common industry practice. Because in their eyes, the lower the costs, the greater the success—allowing franchisees to build a great quality of life or expand into more locations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been all gravy— but that’s part of the story. When Tim and I started 3 Pepper, it was just two of us trying to make something special happen with a ton of hard work and not much sleep. We’ve hit just about every kind of bump you can imagine: staffing issues, construction delays, equipment failures, you name it.
And then COVID hit, and everything went sideways for a while. We were figuring out new ways to serve guests, new ways to keep the lights on — it tested us big time. But those tough years ended up being what made us who we are. We learned to adapt, build better systems, and appreciate our crew more than ever.
It’s never been easy, but we’ve built something we’re proud of — and every struggle along the way made 3 Pepper stronger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 3 Pepper Burrito Co.?
3 Pepper Burrito Co. started right here in Florida with a simple idea — make fresh food the way it should be made, and never let it feel corporate. Tim and I wanted to build a place we’d actually want to eat at: warm tortillas pressed right in front of you, ingredients chopped and cooked daily, and a laid-back local vibe that feels like home.
We opened our first shop in Southwest Florida, and what began as a small hometown spot has turned into a growing regional brand. The franchise model has proven itself — smaller stores, smart costs, and guests who come back because they love the quality and community feel. Every location is owned by people who genuinely care about hospitality and the neighborhoods they serve.
What makes 3 Pepper stand out is how personal it still feels. Even with new stores opening, the heart of the brand hasn’t changed — friendly teams, food made from scratch, and that same easygoing Florida energy. We’ve built systems that keep things consistent but never lose the soul that makes it special.
At the end of the day, we’re proud of how real the brand still is — real food, real people, and real connections. Whether someone’s grabbing lunch or opening their own 3 Pepper, they’re part of the same story we started years ago.
How do you think about luck?
Luck’s definitely been part of the story. We’ve had some great timing along the way — finding the right spots, meeting the right people, just little moments that pushed things forward. But we’ve also had our share of bad luck too — storms, staffing hits, and that whole COVID mess.
At the end of the day though, I think luck’s only as good as what you do with it. You’ve got to be in motion when luck shows up. The way I see it, the harder you work, the luckier you get.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.3pepperburrito.com and owna3pepper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3pepperburrito
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17G3jN6G3r/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@3pepperburritoco
