Tapatío Hot Sauce is celebrating 50 years since its creation in Southern California. And to commemorate this milestone, Tapatio has produced an exclusive 50th Anniversary memorabilia collection and all-new commemorative merchandise line.
As part of the anniversary celebrations. Tapatío Hot Sauce has partnered with comedian and actor Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias to create a limited edition bottle, which features "Fluffy" and his beloved pet chihuahuas. The collaboration also includes a video series available on all social media platforms featuring "Fluffy" with local celebrity chefs including Chef Ludo Lefebvre from Petit Trois, Bricia Lopez from Guelaguetza, Chef Mario Christerna from Brooklyn Ave Pizza, and Chef Wes Avila of Angry Egret Dinette.
“Like so many Californians, I grew up enjoying Tapatío with my family and friends, and have continued to do so for more than 30 years.” said "Fluffy". “And It’s a real honor and privilege to be featured on the front of the iconic bottle today; Tapatío is Mexican royalty – and I get to be King for a day!”
Founder and CEO Jose-Luis Saavedra, Sr established the company’s humble beginnings in 1971. He had been laid off from his job and needed to provide for his family. At the time there were only three major hot sauce brands on the market, and Jose-Luis felt his own hot sauce tasted better. This inspired him to create Tapatío (the name given to people from Guadalajara, Mexico, his childrens’ birthplace). To make it happen, Jose-Luis leased a 750 square-foot building in Maywood, in Los Angeles County, and began with only the 5-ounce bottle size.
Fourteen years later, Saavedra Sr realized he needed a bigger warehouse and moved Tapatío into a 8,500 square-foot warehouse less than a mile away. His three children, then out of college, joined him. His son, Luis Saavedra Jr, graduated medical school but gave up a career in medicine to help his father grow the family business. He is now Vice President of Tapatío and runs the company with his two sisters, Dolores Saavedra-McCoy, who completed law school and is now a Partner & Director of Merchandising, and Jacqueline Saavedra-Mora, who has a degree in Business Administration and is a Partner and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, three members of the third generation of the Saavedra family also work at Tapatío. And it’s as a result of this continuity that Tapatío has remained true to its humble origins, producing the same high-quality, great-tasting product that can be found in households across the country and around the world.
Today, Tapatío is housed in a custom-built, state-of-the-art, 30,000 square-foot facility in Vernon, CA. And Jose-Luis Saavedra Sr continues to work seven days a week, regularly visiting the warehouse.
It’s thanks to his original vision that Tapatío is the #1 hot sauce on the West Coast, the third best-selling hot sauce in the United States, and is exported to more than 30 countries.
“When Tapatio was founded more than five decades ago, we had no idea it would grow into the household name it has become today,” said Luis Saavedra Jr. “We’re still dedicated to providing quality products and service to our customers, and we’re always tailoring our approach to meet our customers’ needs, both at home and around the world. We’re excited to celebrate 50 years of business with Fluffy and look forward to another 50 years to come!”
View the Tapatio 50th Anniversary video series here: Tapatio YouTube Channel