A new wave of flavor has arrived in Bluffton as the Wells County Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassadors proudly welcomed Hot Head Burritos with an official ribbon-cutting celebration. Located at 931 North Main Street, this vibrant eatery brings a bold new dining option to town—serving up fresh ingredients and fully customizable creations that range from mild to wild.
Behind the counter are owners Karen Jenkins, Bill Stose, and Jim Miller—a team with deep ties to both the restaurant industry and the Bluffton community. Bill first encountered the Hot Head Burritos concept during a visit to Evansville, where he connected with the brand’s Founder and CEO, who was also a fellow Subway franchisee. Inspired by the success of pairing Hot Head locations with Subway stores across the state, Bill saw an opportunity to bring that same excitement to Bluffton.
Although the Indiana territory had already been claimed at the time, opportunity eventually knocked. In 2020—just one month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—Bill officially partnered with the brand and became the area developer for Indiana. Despite the early delays brought on by the pandemic, he pressed forward, launching the first location in North Webster—a small, well-traveled town that served as the perfect launchpad for the brand’s regional expansion.
Since then, Bill has been on a mission to grow Hot Head Burritos across Indiana—scouting new locations and partnering with passionate operators who share his vision. “Having spent over 25 years in the Subway system, I’ve worked with so many talented people,” Stose shared. “Hot Head is a natural complement, and I saw it as an opportunity to help others build something meaningful. Karen is one of those amazing people, and I’m proud to partner with her—and with Jim Miller—on this Bluffton location.”
Karen Jenkins, a Bluffton resident since 2009, brings more than two decades of restaurant experience to the venture. After years of managing multiple Subway locations, she saw this as her opportunity to take the lead. “I’ve spent a long time helping others grow their businesses,” Karen said. “This was my chance to bring something exciting and fresh to a community I care deeply about. I’m proud of what we’ve built—and we’re just getting started.”
At the heart of Hot Head Burritos is a fully customizable menu built on fresh, in-house prepped ingredients—from pan-seared fajitas and hand-cut vegetables to a wide range of bold, flavorful sauces. Among the crowd favorites are the Hot Head Sauce, the brand’s signature, known for its bold, zesty flavor, and the Sweet Habanero, which—despite its name—delivers no heat, just a sweet, flavorful kick. “People are loving the Hawaiian Bowl and the avocado lime sauce,” Karen added. “It’s not just food—it’s an experience.”
The Bluffton location has already welcomed 25 team members and continues to grow. With a mobile app launching soon, Karen and Bill are committed to delivering fast, friendly service while keeping things local and personal.
Hot Head Burritos is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch, sitting down for a family dinner, or curious to try the bold flavors everyone’s talking about, you’re invited to stop by—or explore the menu online at www.hotheadburritos.com/bluffton-in.
“Bluffton may be a small town, but it has a big heart,” said Bill Stose. “We’re proud to be part of it—and we’re just getting started.”
Join the Wells County Chamber of Commerce in giving a warm welcome to Karen Jenkins, Bill Stose, Jim Miller, and the entire Hot Head Burritos team. Stop in, show your support, and taste the bold flavors heating up Bluffton’s north side!
Pictured in the front row, left to right:
Mayor John Whicker, City of Bluffton
Adam Bunn, Hot Head Burritos
Carter Mealer, Hot Head Burritos
Bill Stose, Hot Head Burritos
Rebecca Lane Lykins, Hot Head Burritos,
Kaiden Stein McCave, Hot Head Burritos
Karen Jenkins, Hot Head Burritos
Annalyss Gearhart, Hot Head Burritos
Christy Stose, Hot Head Burritos
Destiny Tappy, Hot Head Burritos
Kendra Crump, Hot Head Burritos
Paige Clark, Hot Head Burritos
Stephanie Jarrett, Hot Head Burritos
Lacy Mahorney, Hot Head Burritos
Erin Prible, Wells County Chamber, Executive Director
Surrounded by family, team members, Chamber board members, and Ambassadors.