---
title: "Taco John’s Signs 10-Unit Agreement for Colorado"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/1c75b543-57dc-4fc4-8f95-8ba8473c81bf
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210617_taco_johns_signs_10unit_agreement_for_colorado.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2021-06-17T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:26:33.143Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/tacojohns.jpg
---

# Taco John’s Signs 10-Unit Agreement for Colorado

**TL;DR:** Taco John's has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with Dara Dejbakhsh to expand into the Northern Colorado market. Dejbakhsh will purchase five existing units and build five new locations.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-06-17. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210617_taco_johns_signs_10unit_agreement_for_colorado.html).*

## Key facts

- Taco John's signs 10-unit agreement for Colorado
- Experienced restaurant owner Dejbakhsh to build 5 new locations
- Dejbakhsh has 40+ years of experience in the franchise industry

## Story

## Colorado expansion

As part of a 10-unit franchise agreement, the brand will be further expanding into the Northern Colorado market. Dejbakhsh is purchasing five of Taco John’s existing units and is contracted to build five new locations. All of the existing locations are slated to be remodeled by the end of the year.

“I’m thrilled to be expanding my restaurant portfolio with a brand like Taco John’s. The Mexican quick serve segment is definitely the place to be,” said Dejbakhsh. “The food at Taco John’s was definitely a differentiator as I was doing my research in the industry. Our first location opening can’t come soon enough!”

Dejbakhsh has a strong background in the franchise and quick-service industry, with more than 40 years of experience within the sectors. He is the co-founder and CEO of DND Group Inc., a management company that owns and operates 27 franchisee restaurants (with three more in development) in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

Additionally, Dejbakhsh was the COO of Mrs. Fields, where he was responsible for overseeing all brands with in Mrs. Fields portfolio worldwide, including Mrs.

Fields, TCBY, Pretzelmaker, Pretzel Time, Great American Cookies. Prior to that, Dejbakhsh was in charge of Dunkin’ brands for the western U.S.

, Asia pacific, Canada and Australia.

## Franchise development

“Dara is a great fit to bring the new locations to Northern Colorado,” said Brooks Speirs, vice president for franchise development at Taco John’s. “As we expand to larger cities, restaurant entrepreneurs like Dara are just who we’re looking for – with a passion for the food, and his background in the industry, we definitely have a winner here.”

Differentiating itself in the popular Mexican quick-service segment, Taco John’s prides itself on a unique menu that features scratch-made ingredients. Its commitment to quality has established the brand as the go-to restaurant in its markets. Additionally, its significant drive-thru business, which represents 65% of systemwide sales, has helped insulate the brand from recent market shifts.

Taco John's is the 3rd largest Mexican QSR with a proven business model that has thrived for 56 years and is poised for growth. Don’t just add Mexican to your portfolio…add West-Mex!

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise development (topic)
- Dunkin' Brands (company)
- Taco John's (company)
- Great American Cookies (company)
- TCBY (company)
- Pretzelmaker (company)
- Mrs. Fields (company)
- Brooks Speirs (person)
- colorado expansion (topic)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210617_taco_johns_signs_10unit_agreement_for_colorado.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/1c75b543-57dc-4fc4-8f95-8ba8473c81bf).