DiscoverFULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry RevolutionFrom Trauma Surgeon to Taco Tycoon: Mohammad Farraj on Risk, Reinvention, and Experience-First Growth
From Trauma Surgeon to Taco Tycoon: Mohammad Farraj on Risk, Reinvention, and Experience-First Growth

From Trauma Surgeon to Taco Tycoon: Mohammad Farraj on Risk, Reinvention, and Experience-First Growth

Update: 2025-11-18
Share

Description

What if the stable path isn’t the right one?

Mohammad Farraj was on track to be a trauma surgeon. Instead, he left medicine to launch a taco truck—against family expectations, cultural pressure, and common sense. That truck became Talkin’ Tacos, a fast-casual franchise now operating in seven states.


In this episode, Mohammad shares what pushed him to walk away from a “safe” life, how a teenage TikTok creator sparked their first viral moment, and why obsessing over experience—not just food—created a brand that keeps growing.


This is for any operator who’s ever felt the pull to start over and build something real.

To learn more about Talkin’ Tacos and their nationwide expansion, visit talkintacos.net.

_________________________________________________________


Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.com

Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.


We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:


Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts


Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

From Trauma Surgeon to Taco Tycoon: Mohammad Farraj on Risk, Reinvention, and Experience-First Growth

From Trauma Surgeon to Taco Tycoon: Mohammad Farraj on Risk, Reinvention, and Experience-First Growth

Josh Kopel