Long before Fiesta Mexicana became a familiar name across Johnston County, the Perez family’s story began in Jalisco, Mexico. Raised in a farming family, brothers Jose and Alberto Perez grew up understanding the value of hard work, which would later shape their path in the restaurant industry.
That journey started with their uncles, Ramiro, Ricardo and Joel, who moved to the United States in the 1980s to work on farms in California. Looking for new opportunities, Ramiro eventually relocated to Georgia to learn the restaurant business at a friend’s establishment.
His brothers followed, and after gaining hands-on experience, they took a leap of their own. “After years of learning the business, they opened their own restaurant,” Alberto said.
That first venture in High Point eventually led the family to the Triangle area, where they opened the first Fiesta Mexicana in Cary in 1998.
In 2005, Jose and Alberto brought the concept to Johnston County, opening the Clayton location together. Today, that brand has grown into nine locations across Wake, Johnston and Harnett counties.
Like many in the industry, Jose and Alberto started at the bottom — washing dishes, bussing tables and working the line before moving into management and ownership.
“Me and my brother, we started from the bottom to learn everything,” Alberto said.
The knowledge they gained over the years shapes how they operate today. A focus on quality ingredients, consistent flavors and attentive service remains at the core of every location.
Menu staples like fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, tacos and chimichangas continue to draw regulars, while new additions keep things fresh.
“We try to play around and add new items to the menu, like new flavors of margaritas and different combinations of ingredients,” Alberto said. “Every year we try to do better and improve for our customers.”
That mindset extends beyond just the kitchen. The brothers continually invest in thoughtfully updating their restaurants, creating spaces with vibrant decor that feel welcoming and comfortable.
Now rooted in Johnston County, both Jose and Alberto are raising their families here and remain deeply connected to the community that supported them from the beginning.
Early on, it was friends and family who helped them get started. Today, it’s a loyal customer base — some who have been dining with them for more than 20 years — that continues to fuel their growth.
“There’s a lot of risk to opening a restaurant. If an opportunity comes, we try to take it,” Alberto said.
From starting out growing crops to now growing a restaurant brand recognized across the region, the Perez family’s story is one of persistence, opportunity and steady progress.
“We hope every day to do better. The more we learn, the better we do,” he said.
Alberto hopes their restaurants will be an environment that inspires families to spend quality time together over a shared love of food. “Come in, put your phones down, relax and enjoy a good meal together,” he said.m.