Why Illegal Pete's Prez Believes in Feeding Bands for Free

Illegal Pete's, a Colorado burrito chain that originated in Boulder back in 1995, has largely been successful because it wraps some quality cheap eats, but also because president Pete Turner supports Colorado's music scene. Any band rolling through town can get on the Illegal Pete's website and sign-up for food on the house. Turner, who was once a burrito-loving college kid himself back in the day, has built Illegal Pete's with a solid formula — catering to student neighborhoods, staying open late, pouring good beer and embracing creative types — which is exactly why his Starving Artist program has taken off.

"It's really cool -- we give them a home and hospitality, we get some exposure to their fans and it even gives their fans a chance to catch them at the restaurants. We are all big music fans at Illegal Pete's so this is important to us. We had historically fed national bands touring through Denver/Boulder, but it was very informal -- kind of like "oh, hey aren't you guys so and so playing tonight at the...” and then we'd give them free food."

All that Turner asks in exchange for free grub is a social media shout-out. Not a bad trade.

· 16 Questions for Pete Turner [HuffPostDen]

Pete Turner [Photo: Facebook]