TacoTime Is An Established Franchise Brand

TacoTime has enjoyed a storied brand history

A dream. Hard work. A mortgaged home and some borrowed money. It’s a startup story that hasn’t changed the established franchise much over the decades since the early 1960s, when Ron Fraedrick wanted to own a business. In his case, he loved Mexican food, and thought his hometown of Eugene, Ore., would be receptive to the culinary delights he’d discovered while traveling the Southwest.

So, he took the leap, and launched the first TacoTime™ restaurant as a walk-up affair near the University of Oregon. The rest, as they say, is history. Now, more than six decades later, TacoTime is a beloved brand and established franchise that has spread across and beyond the Pacific Northwest, creating legions of fans. And now this storied brand is looking at new markets across the lower 48, communities eager to try its triple-winning formula of great food, good prices, and exceptional customer service.

Established brands come with a strong business model

Franchising can be a smart bet for many entrepreneurs, because a brand comes with a lot of time-tested, effective training and support. That’s doubly true in TacoTime’s case, because not only do owners benefit from all that legendary franchisor Kahala Brands brings to the table, but they also get to see how TacoTime has evolved over the decades.

For instance, the TacoTime team learned early on that when people have a favorite menu item, they don’t want to find out that it’s been tinkered with. They become loyal for a reason, after all — this is where they can get their favorite burrito, or nachos. That said, they also don’t want to feel like a trip into TacoTime is just “same old, same old,” so they want to see new things. Check both those boxes off, right now.

“TacoTime has evolved into an established franchise without losing anything that makes it special,” explains Ray Zandi, Vice President of Franchise Development. “Customers know their longtime favorite is going to be there, and they can also get excited about seasonal specials, new items, and short-term promotions of a new product to see how the market likes it. It’s a great blend of the familiar and a fun surprise or two.”

Mexican restaurant industry has room to grow

Now pair those advantages when it comes to starting strong in a booming vertical in the competitive fast-casual restaurant industry. According to IBIS World, Mexican food restaurants generate almost $77 billion in annual sales. Many brands within the sector are very well-known national footprints, which can work against them. How? Because there can be a certain “if you’ve been there, you’ve been there” feeling with consumers. They want Mexican food, sure — but a new place to try is more than welcome.

“TacoTime is an amazing secret,” Zandi says. “We’re well known in the Pacific Northwest and have a beyond-loyal following there. In other parts of the country, entrepreneurs will have the chance to introduce an entirely new name and concept to their communities, then invite friends and neighbors to check it out. If the past is any indicator, the word of mouth a new TacoTime generates will take care of the rest.”

How Kahala Brands helps TacoTime franchises grow

Word of mouth, and quite a bit more thanks to franchisor Kahala Brands™. With dozens of nationally and internationally known names to its credit, the team at Kahala knows how to help even the most inexperienced restaurant franchise owner start strong and grow at a pace that’s reasonable vs. overwhelming.

From back-office software that handles everything from inventory control and scheduling to training on everything from front-line food preparation to marketing and outreach, Kahala has it covered. Given how TacoTime is an established brand, meaning owners can point to where it’s been operating for more than half a century, building recognition is made even easier.

“Kahala makes sure that TacoTime franchise owners are trained right, and then goes above and beyond,” Zandi says. “Seasoned real estate professionals work with new owners to make sure that site selection goes well, and the location is perfect for that community. Marketing and promotions make sure that the grand opening is properly promoted, and then build a plan to keep interest building over those crucial first few months. And the operations systems mean the franchise owner isn’t stuck in the back doing paperwork all the time, but is out front engaging with customers and enjoying what TacoTime is providing to their community.”

Own an established franchise brand today!

TacoTime is ready for the spotlight. With 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 passionate about bringing authentic and affordable Mexican food to their communities. TacoTime is led by a veteran franchise team and dedicated brand support team as part of the Kahala Brands™ family.

To learn more about TacoTime, visit our research pages here. If you’re ready to start a conversation with our franchise team, we invite you to fill out our form here. We’ll be in touch with more information about the TacoTime franchise opportunity.