- Last Year Rank: 158
- Investment Range: $1,365,000 - $2,120,000
- Initial Investment: $40,000
- Category: Restaurant
Company Description
Taco John’s is a restaurant chain featuring Mexican-inspired fast food, which it has trademarked as “West Mex.” Along with the typical offerings of burritos, tacos, quesadillas and signature “Potato Olés,” some franchises also offer a breakfast menu.
Founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as a small taco stand, Taco John’s snagged the federal trademark for “Taco Tuesday” in 1989 and held it until 2023, when it gave up the trademark after Taco Bell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to have it reversed, arguing that no one should have the rights to a common phrase.
Taco John’s moved its headquarters from Wyoming to St. Louis Park, Minnesota, in 2025.
Company Statistics
- Global Sales: $414,687,000
- US Units: 340
- International Units: 0
- Total Units: 340
- Percent Franchised: 98%
- % International Units: 0%
- US Franchised Units: 333
- International Franchised Units: 0
- Sales Growth %: -3.4%
- Unit Growth %: -6.6%
