· Zambrero celebrates 20 years of impact today with 100 million meals donated
· Tasmania has been a standout contributor to that global impact, with more than 4.3 million meals donated to date as a direct result of ongoing customer support across the state.
31 December 2025: When Dr Sam Prince opened a small Mexican restaurant in Canberra 20 years ago today, the idea that a fast-casual food business could balance social impact with commercial success was met with deep scepticism.
At the time, few believed a purpose-led model could survive in a highly competitive sector, let alone scale.
Two decades on, Zambrero is a global franchise success operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States, with communities across Tasmania playing a significant role in helping prove the model works.
This December also marked another major milestone for the Canberra-founded brand, with Zambrero surpassing 100 million meals donated to people in need through its global Plate 4 Plate initiative.
Tasmania has been a standout contributor to that global impact, with more than 4.3 million meals donated to date as a direct result of ongoing customer support across the state.
Dr Prince said the milestone was less about celebration and more about evidence.
“When Zambrero started in Canberra, the idea that a food business could make a real difference while also succeeding commercially had very few believers,” he said.
“Twenty years on, reaching 100 million plates shows that the model works when it’s built properly. What began here has grown into a global franchise because customers and franchise partners backed the idea and proved it could scale.”
Zambrero CEO Daryl McCormack said the business’s longevity reflected the discipline applied to the business model.
“Zambrero didn’t grow because it was idealistic. It grew because the fundamentals stacked up,” he said.
“Purpose was embedded from the beginning, but it’s operational discipline, franchise economics and consistent execution that have allowed the business to scale from Canberra to multiple international markets and sustain that growth over 20 years.”
As part of its 20-year milestone, Zambrero recently gave away 100,000 burritos globally to celebrate reaching 100 million meals donated through its Plate 4 Plate initiative, with each burrito triggering an additional meal donation and adding another 100,000 meals to the tally.
A community powered mission
While Zambrero is known for its bold flavours and fresh ingredients, its purpose extends well beyond the plate. Through the Plate 4 Plate initiative, every regular or big burrito, bowl, Kids Zam Box or retail item purchased results in a meal being donated to someone in need.
Working with distribution partners including Rise Against Hunger, Love Mercy Foundation and Foodbank, Zambrero’s global meal count continues to rise every day - powered by customers who choose to eat with purpose.
North Hobart franchise partner Sajeev Gopalakrishnan said the milestone and the giveaway reflected years of consistent support from the Tasmanian community.
“Coming from India, my wife and I have seen firsthand what it means to not have enough food,” Mr Gopalakrishnan said.
“That’s why Plate 4 Plate resonated with us from the beginning - it’s about helping parents do the one thing that matters most, which is feeding their children.”
“To know Tasmania alone has helped donate more than 4.3 million meals makes me incredibly proud. We started here with just a few stores, and the impact our local community has made over time has been enormous.”
Mr Gopalakrishnan said moments like the recent Hobart meal packing day helped bring the initiative to life.
“Seeing hundreds of volunteers come together really showed people the difference their everyday support makes.”
About us:
About Zambrero:
Zambrero is Feel Good Mex. A restaurant franchise serving fresh and Mexican-inspired food, with a humanitarian enterprise at its heart. Zambrero is committed to helping end world hunger through its Plate 4 Plate initiative, which donates a meal to someone in need with every burrito or bowl purchased.
Zambrero was founded in Canberra, Australia, in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince, who was a 21-year-old medical student at the time. He has grown the brand to be Australia’s largest Mexican group, with now over 300 restaurants across all Australian states and the globe in the US, United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.
For more information, visit zambrero.com.au
About Plate 4 Plate:
Zambrero’s mission is to help end world hunger through its Plate 4 Plate initiative. With every regular burrito or bowl purchased, a meal is donated to someone in need through its partners at Rise Against Hunger, Love Mercy and Foodbank.
Since its inception, the company has donated over 100 million meals.
Visit zambrero.com.au/plate4plate
Contact details:
For media enquiries, please contact LJ Loch at [email protected] or 0488 038 555
