Taco John’s International Inc. is rapidly expanding its footprint through franchising with experienced convenience store and travel plaza operators.
As part of its 10-unit franchise agreement with Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores (Love’s), there are four Taco John’s restaurants open in Love’s stores today and three are set to open in the coming months. In addition, the brand has an eight-unit agreement in place with Loaf ‘N Jug, one of the leading convenience store chains in the Rocky Mountain region. Two Taco John’s restaurants opened in February at Loaf ‘N Jug locations.
Taco John’s is seeking to grow through franchising with qualified convenience store operators as it ramps up national franchise development efforts this year. Fueled by more than five decades of steady growth, a significant footprint of nearly 400 units open today and new branding, the iconic brand is an attractive opportunity for convenience store operators seeking to drive food sales with a beloved concept and menu.
“We are an ideal co-development partner for convenience stores and travel plazas. Our flexible layouts can be adapted to a variety of site configurations, and our high-quality Mexican menu provides an alternative to the usual burgers, pizza and sandwiches,” says Brooks Speirs, Vice President for Franchise Development at Taco John’s. “In addition, we serve all dayparts, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and late-night—perfect for c-stores, many of which have 24-7 operating hours.”
Taco John’s franchising requirements for convenience store locations include drive-thru access, a minimum of 100,000 gallons monthly fuel sales and $30,000 monthly inside sales.
Differentiating itself in the popular Mexican quick-service segment, Taco John’s prides itself on a unique menu that features scratch-made ingredients. Its commitment to quality has established the brand as the go-to restaurant in its markets. Additionally, its significant drive-thru business, which represents 65% of systemwide sales, has helped insulate the brand from recent market shifts.
The Taco John’s franchise opportunity separates itself as a thriving legacy brand with strong unit-level economics, prime markets available for multi-unit development and unique menu. The brand has recently launched several new and innovative menu items, a new refreshed brand look and feel, and is rolling out a systemwide remodel program, all serving to attract new consumers and retain longtime fans. As Taco John’s expands, it is seeking qualified, experienced and passionate franchisees, franchise groups and convenience store operators to develop the concept in key markets.
