Lil Richard’s, a breakfast burrito business run by Imad and Anna Burleigh, has established its first brick-and-mortar storefront at 104 White Ave. in downtown Grand Junction. The new grab-and-go restaurant, which had its soft opening in mid-August, is located at the corner of First Street and White Avenue, with its entrance directly below the large Downtown Suites sign.
The Burleighs, who previously operated Lil Richard's from a food truck, began searching for a permanent location and visited the kitchen and lobby in the Downtown Suites building in December 2025. Imad Burleigh stated that upon seeing the kitchen, their search ended immediately, saying, “As soon as we saw the kitchen, it was game over.”
While the kitchen required little work beyond adding a fryer, Imad Burleigh noted that some small renovations were made to the front and middle areas of the space. The process also involved "six months of back and forth with the city," which led to a delayed opening. Despite the delay, Lil Richard’s is now open seven days a week and is growing its customer base, even without its store sign currently installed. The Burleighs indicated the sign is coming soon.
For customers looking for the store, it's advised to know the building is at the corner of First Street and White Avenue. Imad Burleigh humorously refers to it as the "burrito speakeasy of Grand Junction," acknowledging that some customers have found it challenging to locate without a prominent sign.
Lil Richard’s is known for its "Big Richard" burrito, which Imad Burleigh describes as his attempt at "the best breakfast burrito on the planet." This substantial burrito features a pound-and-a-quarter of meat, cheese, eggs, crispy tots, and green chile sauce, though Imad noted it often weighs closer to a pound and a half. Smaller sizes and various ingredient combinations are also available.
The business model emphasizes a simple menu, high-quality ingredients, consistent execution, and a strong focus on customer service. Imad Burleigh stated their motto: "Come hungry, leave a regular." He explained that the aim is for every customer to feel like they have visited many times before, and he expressed a desire to reintroduce hospitality to the quick-serve industry. Anna Burleigh estimated that Lil Richard’s has sold well over 10,000 breakfast burritos.
The business originated as a food truck in May 2025. Imad Burleigh recalled a slow start, with only three customers and approximately $60 in sales on their opening day. However, he said that in the following days and weekends, they experienced "exponential growth" fueled by community support and positive feedback on their food.
Currently, the food truck is on hiatus following the opening of the brick-and-mortar store. However, during a Sept. 24 interview, Imad and Anna Burleigh confirmed plans to reopen it. They intend to use the food truck for catering events, including business, school, and wedding functions, as well as a future baby shower. They also aim to return to events like youth soccer tournaments, though this will require additional staff due to the high demand at those events.
The Downtown Suites location has provided a built-in customer base, with many tenants becoming regulars. Anna Burleigh noted that residents can easily order downstairs and pick up their burritos on their way out. The location also benefits from being directly across the street from The Junction apartment complex, which houses 256 apartments.
Imad Burleigh praised the employees, stating they have been "absolutely incredible" and have significantly contributed to the business's current success. He added that taking care of their employees and ensuring they feel part of the company's growth is extremely important to the Burleighs. Imad's mother, Susan Burleigh, initially volunteered, then became their first employee, and played a role in marketing the business through her local connections, including her swim aerobics classes.
