Taco John's Business Overview

About Taco John's

Taco John's operates and franchises more than 380 quick-service restaurants in 27 states. Privately owned, the business opened its first restaurant in 1969 in Cheyenne, WY. Celebrating its 19th year of sales growth for the same stores, Taco John's prides itself on serving generous portions, menu items prepared fresh to your order, high quality ingredients and unapologetically original recipes, seasonings and sauces.

Company History

In 1968, a small taco stand opened in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The “Taco House” was an instant success with the locals because of the distinctive seasonings in the tasty tacos and generously sized burritos. In 1969, the franchise rights were purchased by two local businessmen, Harold Holmes and James Woodson. The pair decided to name the franchise after the man who opened the first store—John.

Holmes and Woodson began selling franchises right away, but unlike other fast food chains, their focus was not on large urban areas. The first three franchised restaurants were opened in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Torrington, Wyoming, and Rapid City, South Dakota. The restaurants began to quickly evolve, with the introduction of drive-thrus and interior seating in 1973. Many of the restaurants that followed set up shop in the small rural communities that other food chains disregarded. The then-unique concept of Mexican fast food first brought in the curious and adventurous customer. Just imagine being one of those bold individuals who tried Potato Olés® back in 1979 when they were first introduced! Over time, these satisfied customers came back to Taco John’s for great food, fast service and fair prices.

Today they are approaching 400 quick-service restaurants in 25 states, making Taco John’s among the largest Mexican restaurant brands in America. Taco John’s is now celebrated for their unforgettable value deals like Taco Tuesday®, a promotion which started back in 1982, and for menu items like the Meat and Potato Burrito, which debuted back in 1994.

Despite all of the progress and innovation they have made in the last four decades, the fundamentals that made Taco John’s a success over the years have not changed. Great-tasting West-Mex® food served quickly and pleasantly and for a fair price—that’s what Taco John’s is all about.

This web page does not constitute a franchise offering or an offer to sell a franchise. A franchise offering can be made by us only in a state if we are first registered, excluded, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if we provide you with an appropriate franchise disclosure document.