TacoTime Franchise Looks Ahead to a Bright New Year

Director of franchise development with the beloved Mexican food franchise opens up about the exciting year ahead for the iconic brand

TacoTime^® is a brand that has thrived through the decades. Founded in 1960, TacoTime has grown to nearly 300 locations in the Pacific Northwest, due to its commitment to never waver from its original promise: real, fresh ingredients make better food. 2017 is shaping up to be a banner year for the iconic Mexican food franchise, with several new developments planned alongside an aggressive national expansion.

What makes TacoTime such a compelling investment opportunity in 2017 is the fact that a wide percentage of franchise owners are not only multi-unit operators, but they have also been in business for decades. Of the 75 franchise owners in the TacoTime system, 25 own more than one unit, which speaks volumes about the ease of the business model.

“When people ask me what the number one reason to invest in TacoTime is, I always point out the fact that we’ve been in business since 1960,” says Nicole Rayborn, Director of Franchise Development with TacoTime. “The brand has thrived in the good economic times and bad because we’ve never wavered on the brand’s commitment to use only the freshest possible ingredients and to make food fresh, from scratch in-house on a daily basis. As a result, we’re so honored that so many of our franchise owners have been with us for several decades. Some have passed their stores on to their children, making us one of the rare brands to be successful from one generation to the next. It’s a very powerful validator for us.”

TacoTime has a culture that is just as exceptional as the food. Part of the reason the TacoTime brand has done so well is due to the culture of friendship and participation between the franchise owners and the corporate office. Franchise owners are included in every single decision the brand makes, from deciding marketing campaigns to approving new products. Brand President Kevin Gingrich is also a multi-unit TacoTime franchise owner, with several locations open in Utah, serving as an ideal liaison between the network of franchise owners and the corporate office.

“Kevin is really an exceptional person, who is so respected by our franchise owners because he really is in it with them,” Nicole says. “Every suggestion that corporate asks the franchise owners to consider will impact Kevin as much as the rest of the network, and that is rare in a franchise brand. Kevin does a great job of gathering the network together on a quarterly basis to review the months ahead, which reveals a deep level of transparency that our owners truly appreciate. After 25 years, it still comes off so clear how passionate Kevin is about the brand and the growth of his fellow franchise owners.”

TacoTime is ramping up for a nationwide expansion. TacoTime is kicking off 2017 with the announcement that it will open a new location in Katy, Texas. This will be the first location TacoTime opens in the Lone Star state, but the iconic Mexican food franchise has ambitious expansion plans that will take the brand well beyond its foothold in the Pacific Northwest.

“We are thrilled to enter the Texan market, where the demand for fresh, authentic Mexican food is booming,” Nicole says. “The new restaurant opening in Katy, Texas, is encouraging other local entrepreneurs to investigate the TacoTime franchise opportunity. We currently have significant interest in Dallas and Houston and are actively targeting the areas of Austin and San Antonio for expansion.”

While the majority of TacoTime expansion over the years has been the result of organic interest in bringing the brand to new communities, TacoTime is entirely focused on franchising efforts. In 2016, TacoTime launched its new franchise recruitment website to grow the brand beyond its roots in the Pacific Northwest, where nearly 300 locations are open. The efforts have been paying off: TacoTime has a full pipeline of savvy investors and first-time entrepreneurs who are enthusiastic about bringing the beloved TacoTime to their towns and cities.

“We’re very excited to have so much interest in the brand from entrepreneurs across the country,” Nicole continues. “In 2017, we plan to target Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and West Virginia for expansion, as well as strengthen the foothold in the Pacific Northwest. We’re looking forward to having another exceptional year of adding new franchise owners to the TacoTime family.”

Ready to open a TacoTime franchise in your community?

TacoTime is ready for the spotlight. With nearly 300 locations in the United States and Canada, the Mexican food franchise is ready to break out of its home turf in the Pacific Northwest and hit the national stage. TacoTime is looking for entrepreneurs who are passionate about bringing authentic and affordable Mexican food to their communities. To learn more about TacoTime, visit the Franchise Information Portal or request the free Franchise Information Report.