Duane Roberts, the California entrepreneur credited with inventing the world’s first frozen burrito and later rescuing one of the state’s grandest hotels, has died. He was 88.
His widow Kelly Roberts said he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday while surrounded by family.
“I feel so blessed to have shared 35 wonderful years of marriage with Duane,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Together, we built a beautiful life working side by side, sharing in the joy, purpose, and love that defined our journey together. He was the most incredible husband and stepfather to Doug and Casey, and a loving grandfather whose wisdom and warmth touched every generation of our family.”
Roberts’ death was first reported by TMZ.
Born and raised in Riverside, Calif., Roberts started working in his family’s business, Butcher Boy Food Products, when he was 19.
In the mid-1950s, he saw an opportunity to capitalize on America’s growing appetite for convenience food.
In 1956, Roberts created the first frozen burrito, turning the Mexican food staple into a mass-market item that could be stored, shipped and sold nationwide.
The product helped transform the frozen food industry and introduced a now-ubiquitous item to grocery store aisles.
Though Roberts never patented the idea, his innovation made him a fortune as Butcher Boy grew to generate $80 million in annual sales, producing more than a million burritos a day.
He sold the business in 1980.
By then, the frozen burrito had become a staple of American freezers — a quick, cheap meal that bridged cultural and culinary traditions across decades.
Roberts later turned his entrepreneurial energy toward real estate and hospitality.
In 1992, he bought the decaying Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown Riverside, which had been closed for seven years and was in danger of demolition.
Over the next several years, Roberts poured $55 million into restoring the 238-room Spanish Mission-style landmark, modernizing its amenities while preserving its ornate design.
The renovation revived Riverside’s historic core and cemented the Mission Inn’s reputation as one of California’s most distinctive hotels.
“His love for Riverside helped revitalize its historic core and strengthen the heart of the community,” Kelly Roberts said in her Facebook post.
“He was deeply committed to helping those in need, and his compassion knew no bounds. The impact of his kindness and the organizations he championed will continue to inspire and uplift others for generations to come.”
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