Pepe Ramos grew up in Cuautla, Mexico, a small farm village in the state of Jalisco in Central Mexico where his father owned a grocery store. At age 12, having completed the sixth grade, Pepe had to leave school to help his father run the store so his other siblings would have an opportunity for more schooling. From working with his father, he acquired a foundation of skills—buying, selling, dealing with people, and working hard—which allowed him to build what has ultimately become a large and profitable restaurant company.