Donning cowboy hats and carrying boxes of their Mexican beef jerky, Ruben Reyes and Chip Cruea walked into a Walmart in Irvine, ready to pitch their snacks to the company.

The pair believed they were meeting with the store manager as the first step toward securing an invitation to Walmart’s annual Open Call — a Shark Tank-style event where selected businesses pitch directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Midway through their pitch, officials surprised them with a direct invitation to Bentonville, Arkansas, to present their product at Walmart’s Open Call.

Cruea held back tears as he and Reyes thanked Walmart officials.

Ruben Reyes, right, and Chip Cruea, left, of Vaquero Bandido, with their snacks on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Irvine, CA, after being surprised with an invitation to pitch their Mexican beef jerky to Walmart headquarters. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Mexican beef jerky comes in five flavors, which Cruea describes as “like crispy bacon.” The Newport Beach company donates three cents per bag to Heroes and Horses, a Montana nonprofit that helps veterans heal through horseback therapy.

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