Jim Cramer is aware of how to assess a business. The host of CNBC’s “Mad Money” and the writer of “How to Make Money in Any Market” has spent his profession poring over stability sheets and earnings statements.
And whereas it might be just a few years till California Burrito, an India-based Mexican restaurant chain founded by 36-year-old American Bert Mueller, begins showing on inventory tickers, Cramer is impressed with the corporate’s story.
CNBC Make It requested Cramer to react to the site’s profile of Mueller and his business, which in 2024 introduced in $23 million in income throughout 103 areas.
Cramer, the one-time proprietor of a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn, was significantly taken by Mueller’s self-belief — a high quality Cramer says should be current for anybody to get a small business off the bottom.
“I think that what is central to this young man’s vision was he never doubted himself,” Cramer says. “If you were a person that doubts yourself, I got bad news for you. You’re going to fail. Most small businesses fail.”
Mueller estimated he’d want $100,000 to open his first retailer and as a substitute raised $250,000 from family and friends “to be careful” — a transfer which will get a gold star from Cramer.
“A lot of people say, ‘OK, if I had $100,000, I could do it. Let me do it with $50,000,'” Cramer says. “That’s who loses. You have to have enough money to be able to live and survive and prosper. And if you can get more than that, how terrific.”
Mueller says he plans to attain 300 shops by 2030, at which level he hopes to take the corporate public. In the meantime, he stays dedicated, he says, to sourcing components that impart his eating places’ meals with genuine Mexican and Californian flavors.
“I would tell you that this young gentleman is doing many things well. The first thing I would say is he’s obviously working incredibly hard. Second, he’s learning the culture. And third, he realizes you got to be authentic,” Cramer says. “If you’re not authentic, people spot it very quickly.”
Conversions from Indian Rupees to USD had been performed utilizing the OANDA conversion charge of 1 rupee to 0.011 USD on April 22, 2025. All quantities are rounded to the closest greenback.
Upgrade to an annual CNBC Investing Club membership at present and declare your free, signed copy of Jim Cramer’s new ebook, “How to Make Money in Any Market.” (See phrases and situations for full provide particulars. This promotion is out there solely whereas provides final. See the complete disclaimer here for essential limitations and exclusions.)
Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get ideas and methods for fulfillment at work, with cash and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to join with consultants and friends.
