Torchy's Tacos: Mike Rypka

"How I Built This" features an interview with Mike Rypka, the founder of Torchy's Tacos, detailing his journey from a troubled teenager to a successful entrepreneur. Rypka recounts his early struggles with substance abuse, his time in culinary school, and his experiences working in various kitchens. The narrative focuses on the inception of Torchy's Tacos as a food truck in Austin, the challenges he faced, including financial difficulties and competition, and the strategies he employed to build the brand. The podcast also explores the involvement of investors, Rypka's temporary step-down as CEO, and his eventual return to steer the company towards national expansion while maintaining its original culture and values.