A national taco chain plans to open locations in Columbia area. Here’s what we know
Some say a well-balanced diet is a taco in each hand.
And it looks like residents of the Midlands will have more opportunities to get their hands on some tacos in the not-too-distant future, via a national brand that is looking to expand to the area.
Taco John’s, a chain that has nearly 400 restaurants across 21 states, is planning to establish locations in the Columbia area, according to Brooks Speirs, the vice president of franchise development for Taco John’s.
Speirs told The State Taco John’s is looking for franchisees to work with to break into the Midlands.
“In the last 12 months we’ve had record benchmarks in all sorts of areas,” Speirs said. “We’ve started looking at expanding more into the Southeast. ... South Carolina and North Carolina are two markets that we think make a lot of sense for our brand.”
Taco John’s would like to open six to 10 stores in the Midlands during the next four years, Speirs said. If all goes well, Speirs said the company would like to strike a deal with a franchising partner by the first quarter of 2023 and possibly break ground on a first Columbia-area location late in 2023, with openings early in 2024.
Taco John’s is a quick-service restaurant with Mexican food, one that competes with chains such as Taco Bell and Del Taco. Taco John’s has been in business for more than 50 years, and its menu is filled with various tacos, burritos, breakfast items, nachos, cold brew coffee and churros, among other items.
Speirs said one particularly popular offering at Taco John’s is its Six Pack and a Pound package, in which diners can get six tacos and a pound of the restaurant’s Potato Olés, a fried potato confection similar to hash rounds.
Taco John’s has a “huge brand following” in the upper Midwest, Speirs said, one that almost borders on a “cult following.” He said the company is hoping to establish some of that same vibe as it begins expanding in the South.
“We are kind of a blue-collar person’s restaurant,” Speirs said. “Our food is good and plentiful. ... When we look at our demographics where we are successful in the Midwest, parts of Columbia kind of pull into that.”
Speirs added that Taco John’s has debuted a new, vibrant physical look for its restaurants in recent years, with bright colors, big windows and other touches that endear it to a younger audience.
Those who may be interested in franchising with Taco John’s in the Columbia area can visit tacojohnsfranchise.com/ for more information.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 1:25 PM.
