Last checked Oct 16, 2026
Calexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com)calexico.comCalexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com) is not currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
No reliable evidence was found that Calexico is currently controlled by a private equity firm; available sources describe it as founder-led/privately held.
Notes
- Calexico’s official site provides brand background but does not mention any private equity sponsor or parent company.
- Multiple reputable/local sources describe Calexico as founded in 2006 by the Vendley brothers and continuing to be represented publicly by co-founder Dave Vendley (e.g., confirming a 2022 closure), which is inconsistent with an identifiable PE-controlled platform.
- A federal court docket caption lists Calexico-related LLCs and names individuals (including Brian Vendley and Peter Oleyer) as defendants, supporting that the operating entities are organized as private LLCs rather than disclosed as a PE-owned platform.
- No credible acquisition/ownership announcement (PE buyout, sponsor portfolio page, or similar) was located in the research performed; therefore the company is treated as not private-equity-owned under the provided definition.
Sources
- Calexico — Our Story
Calexico (official website) - Official company website and brand origin narrative (SoHo street-cart beginnings; no mention of PE ownership).
- Calexico Taqueria Making Return to LES
Commercial Observer - Founding details: Vendley brothers started Calexico as a street cart in SoHo in 2006.
- Astoria's Big Calexico Restaurant Closes After Less Than 1 Year
Patch (Astoria/LIC, NY) - Founder/leadership attribution: co-founder Dave Vendley; states Calexico was founded in 2006 with his two brothers.
- Aguilar v. Calexico Cinco LLC et al (docket)
Justia (U.S. District Court, E.D.N.Y. docket mirror) - Legal entity/individual association: lists multiple Calexico LLC entities and individuals (including Brian Vendley and Peter Oleyer), supporting private LLC ownership context (no PE sponsor identified).
- https://www.calexico.com/contact/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.marcusmillichap.com/properties/304249/former-applebees
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://calexicochronicle.com/2026/08/05/melys-owner-celebrates-exciting-new-beginnings/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/departments/city-clerk/document-central/city-clerk/council-agendas/2025/07-10-2025-item-1-correspondence-07-10-2025.pdf
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.datalane.com/contact/restaurants/calexico-brooklyn
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://system.privco.com/company/hope-cafe-creperie
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://calexicochronicle.com/2026/08/05/la-propietaria-de-melys-celebra-un-emocionante-nuevo-comienzo/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calexico_%28band%29
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is Calexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com) owned by private equity?
No. Calexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com) does not currently appear to be private-equity-owned.
Who owns Calexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com)?
Privately held / founder-led (Vendley brothers and related operating entities; no evidence of current controlling private equity sponsor found)
When was Calexico (NYC Mexican restaurant group operating as Calexico Carne Asada, LLC and related entities; website: calexico.com) last checked?
This page was last checked on Oct 16, 2026.