Building Amigos: Risk, Resilience, and a Nebraska Restaurant Icon

Before Amigos became a familiar name across Nebraska, it was just a husband and wife with an idea. In this episode of Building Nebraska, we sit down with Roger and Jan Moore, the founders of Amigos, to hear the full story behind one of Nebraska’s most recognizable restaurant brands. From opening their first location in Lincoln in 1980 to growing the business to 30 stores statewide, the Moores share what it really took to build Amigos from the ground up. They talk about 18-hour days, sleeping in the restaurant, fierce fast-food competition, closing locations when necessary, and navigating major disruptions like COVID-19. You’ll also hear how Amigos has adapted over time—from drive-thru shifts and food courts to grocery store products, food trucks, and national shipping. Along the way, Roger and Jan share hard-earned lessons on risk-taking, hiring great managers, employee ownership, and what they look for in future leaders. It’s a candid conversation about perseverance, humility, and building a business that treats customers like friends. This is the Amigos story—on Building Nebraska.