Stephanie Swanz

Stephanie Swanz began a career in the hospitality industry which turned into a marketing career in country music, after graduating from the University of Florida. As a way to bring acts together, Swanz would prepare empanadas for shows. One day, a friend called out “Hey Empamama” and the next day she secured the social accounts for the brand knowing that one day she would make something of the Empamamas’ brand.

In August 2015, she quit her job and moved back home to Tampa where she began to put a plan together for Empamamas. What started as a Food Truck dedicated to ‘Not So Basic, American Made Empanadas’ quickly grew into a permanent location at the newly desired, Armature Works Food Hall. Empamamas prides itself on their signature, award winning empanada, the Tampa Girl which has won over five awards in the past year alone. Three years and a pandemic later, Swamz was approached by the ownership of Armature Works and asked if she would be interested in launching another concept. Needless to say, it was an opportunity she could not let slip away and Muchachas (Casa de los Quesatacos) was born in November 2020.  Swanz looks forward to focusing on continuing to build both brands in the Bay area and beyond.