Juan Eduardo Acosta’s entrepreneurial journey began as he prepared to leave his hometown for college in Lima, the capital of Peru. Before he left, his mom taught him how to cook so he could take care of himself and that’s when he discovered his love for cooking.
Once on his own, Juan developed a deep connection with the flavors, the stories behind each dish, and the joy of cooking for others.
After moving to the United States, this passion stayed with him. Cooking for friends and family, everyone said the same thing: “You should open a restaurant.”
What started as a simple life skill turned into a calling and the beginning of his dream to start a business of his own.
With that idea in mind and a deep love for sharing the flavors of his country, he decided to test the waters in 2023 by launching a food truck. It was his way to see if his food would resonate with the community and it absolutely did. People responded with excitement to his offering: authentic Peruvian dishes, full of flavor and made with love.
Juan’s first year operating the food truck provided invaluable entrepreneurial education. He mastered inventory management, supplier relationships, cost calculations, recipe refinement, and daily operations. Beyond cooking, he was developing comprehensive business skills and proving his concept’s viability in the marketplace.
In spring of 2025, he took the next big step: building his own restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas. Recognizing the complexity of this transition, he sought guidance from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas.
Carolina Mejia, ASBTDC bilingual business consultant, directed Juan to the Benton County office to register his business and obtain the appropriate permits, then tackled his primary challenges: hiring practices, operational systems, cash flow management, and marketing strategies.
Understanding the critical role of digital presence for new businesses, Carolina and Juan collaborated on developing a comprehensive social media strategy, refining his Instagram presence, and optimizing his Google Business Profile.
“For this project, it was a pleasure working with Juan. He is very smart, independent and always looking to learn,” according to Carolina. “When it came to registering the business, he already had done most of the work himself. I only helped to confirm he was doing things right and shared some resources, he was always one step ahead.”
Warike 115 Peruvian Bistro opened in early summer 2025.The word “warike” is commonly used in Peru to describe small, often hidden spots where the food is exceptionally good—local treasures known for serving traditional homemade meals. By naming his restaurant Warike 115, Juan wanted to honor that tradition of soulful, flavorful cooking. The number 115 holds personal meaning for him and marks the beginning of this exciting new chapter.
Juan’s sister works alongside him in the kitchen, preserving the family’s flavors and recipes, while his son plays a key role in customer service, bringing warmth and hospitality to the experience. Together, they’ve built more than just a restaurant—they’ve brought a piece of Peru to Northwest Arkansas.
Peruvian cuisine enjoys global recognition as one of the world’s finest culinary traditions, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, indigenous ingredients like ají peppers, potatoes, and corn, and its remarkable fusion of indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Every dish tells a story, and Juan Eduardo is passionate about sharing these narratives through food.
“The most beautiful part of this story is that it all started with something simple: cooking with his mother. Today, that passion has turned into a real business, one that connects cultures, families, and flavors,” said Carolina.
Throughout this journey, Juan has taken important steps to move his business forward with ASBTDC happy to support him along the way.
“ASBTDC was the beginning to start thinking about the start of my business and helped in many ways” according to Juan. “It was like someone opened a door to be able to discover things that, at the time, I didn’t think possible. I am very thankful for all the help that I got at the beginning of my journey.”
115 N Dixieland Rd Suite 16
Rogers, AR 72756
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