Ten years ago, two childhood friends, Louis Wesseling and Steven Visser, took a risk and opened a small spot on Amsterdam’s Amstelstraat. In 2014, Salsa Shop was born. A few years in, and that risk paid off in a big way. Now, ten years later, Salsa Shop isn’t just a place to grab a quick bite—it’s a fast-casual revolution, with sixteen stores across the Netherlands and a grand vision for Europe.
They’ve come a long way, but it’s not about luck. It’s about hard work, innovation, and a relentless drive to do things better. What sets them apart? It’s simple: fresh ingredients, bold Mexican flavors, and real people behind the counter who care. When your customers keep coming back for more, you know you’re onto something special.
From Amsterdam to the world: the drive to expand
It’s not just about selling fast food. It’s about selling an experience, one that makes people rethink what Mexican food can be. For a lot of people in the Netherlands, the idea of Mexican food still screams “unhealthy”—greasy, heavy, processed. But at Salsa Shop? It’s a whole other story. These guys have spent the last ten years perfecting fresh, nutritious, and real food. Burritos, tacos, salads—they’ve got all the classics—but made with ingredients that’ll make your taste buds wake up and demand more. And don’t get us started on those six homemade salsas—from mild to the kind of heat that’ll make you sweat—each one of them adding its own little twist to every meal.
The formula works. And that’s why Salsa Shop is now planning to bring its fresh, fast, and flavorful meals to Europe. A vision that’s far from small. Europe, get ready.
Innovation, technology, and no shortcuts
Salsa Shop’s success isn’t just about food. Sure, the product is top-notch, but it’s also about getting the right people in the room, investing in technology, and constantly improving. One of the smartest moves they made was the introduction of ordering kiosks—placed right where the crowd is, like in front of the window. A simple innovation that led to a massive influx of young people (14 to 18-year-olds) coming in, and the best part? It boosted average order values in a way no one expected.
That’s the kind of thinking that keeps a brand ahead of the curve. And Salsa Shop isn’t stopping there. They’re constantly upgrading their systems, improving the guest experience, and using the latest technology to keep things running smoothly. It’s all about being efficient, scalable, and relevant. And you better believe they’re aiming high.
“It’s for everyone. It’s fresh. It’s real.” — Louis Wesseling
Louis knows what’s up. Salsa Shop isn’t some niche restaurant for a specific crowd. It’s for everyone. The kids down the street, the lawyers in suits, the construction workers coming in after a long day. Salsa Shop isn’t just serving food—it’s serving a slice of Mexican tradition, done fresh, done right.
And that’s the kicker: people are talking about it. Salsa Shop doesn’t just do well on the plate, they do well in customer surveys too. The kind of surveys where taste is the real winner.
Europe, here we come: 25 locations by 2027
Salsa Shop’s future? Bright. Big. Global. They’ve got the foundation, and now it’s time to take it outside the Netherlands. The goal? 25 locations across Europe by 2027. Sounds ambitious? It is. But when you’ve spent ten years building something real, you don’t stop dreaming big. Here’s to the next chapter. Stay tuned.
