Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc., the largest Wendy’s franchisee, has signed Taco John’s International, Inc. It is known to be the largest area development deal to date. According to the proposed deal, the company will open 50 new Taco John’s locations by March 31, 2026, with the potential to open an additional 150 in the future.
President and COO of Meritage Hospitality Group, Gary Rose believes, their firm is a fantastic fit for Taco John’s. They were instantly drawn to Taco John’s while looking for new ways to extend the group’s repertoire. He said, “We’re thrilled about the Mexican restaurant category and the brand’s new Bigger, Bolder, Better strategy. In 2022, we’re looking forward to opening our first restaurants near our headquarters in West Michigan.”
Vice President for Franchise Development of Taco John’s, Brooks Speirs is extremely happy with the new deal and believes this would be a historic move for their brand. In a statement recorded by QSR, Speirs said, “There is no greater partner than Meritage as we continue our rapid expansion into new areas. The organizational architecture, attention to detail, dedication to people, operational capabilities, and creation of top-notch restaurants have all impressed me as I’ve gotten to know the company. For Taco John’s, the future looks bright!”
Taco John’s stands out in the famous Mexican quick-service category. It also offers a distinct menu that offers excellent, well-made cuisine. Because of its devotion to excellence, the brand has become the go-to eatery in its markets. Furthermore, the brand’s large drive-thru operation, which accounts for 65 percent of overall sales, has helped protect it from the latest market upheavals.
According to Jim Creel, President, and CEO, “we have been developing great momentum” over the recent few days. Further, he added, they realized they needed a fresh approach to energize their present sites as a 50-year-old business. At the same time, their management team and board of directors have been upgraded. Their development has made the brand even more desirable to major multi-unit operators as an investment. The Meritage agreement is a crowning achievement for the Taco John’s team, highlighting all of their hard work.
Taco John’s is a successful legacy brand with excellent unit economics, great markets for multi-unit growth, and has a fresh distinctive menu. To attract new customers and keep longstanding ones, the company has lately released numerous new and creative menu items, as well as an updated brand look and feel and a systemwide renovation initiative. Source
