During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves pivoting due to the unforeseen circumstances. In Tigo B’s case, the unexpected turn of events happened after he landed a deal with Universal Music Group. As the world slowed down though, so did things for musicians, which led the North Carolina native to ponder what to do while his music was temporarily paused. The brainstorming resulted in a successful business franchise.

Tigo B, along with his business partner, Lamont Heath, opened up a food truck for Romeo’s Vegan Burgers in Charlotte, NC. Being vegans themselves, the business owners wanted to make vegan food and healthier eating more accessible in the state, which had limited options.

“We wanted to bring a fast food vegan option to North Carolina so people could transition into plant-based food that still tasted like things that they would eat normally,” Tigo B told AfroTech.

The self-funded venture became an instant hit as customers began to line up for the vegan burgers. So much so that within two months, the owner of the vacant lot where the food truck was running requested for them to move from the area due to liability concerns regarding the crowds of people.

Soon after, the plant-based restaurant went from being on wheels to having two brick-and-mortar locations in Charlotte and Greensboro. 

“The transition was easy and difficult at the same time,” Tigo B explained. “Easy because we already knew our business like the back of our hand, but a little more difficult just because we had to get more familiar with the space.”

He added, “It was just a learning curve.”

According to WBTV, Romeo’s Vegan Burgers in Charlotte became the only Black-owned vegan drive-thru restaurant in the southeastern U.S. when it opened.

Tigo B aims for Romeo’s Vegan Burgers to further expand and build out its community even more in the near future. One of the team’s visions is to open another restaurant in North Charlotte. The location is a prime spot, since it brought a lot of business when the food truck used to pull up to the area, he says.

In the midst of his business thriving, Tigo B is still tapping into his music. While venturing into the endeavor started off with an impromptu studio session, over the years, it has grown and provided him with opportunities to share the stage with the likes of Jeezy, City Girls, Young Dolph, Moneybagg Yo, Wale, and more.

On May 5, Tigo B dropped his latest single, “Lover.”