---
title: "A Deal to Taco ‘Bout: Taco John’s Announces Biggest Franchise Agreement in Brand History"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/4b8e0bf0-5e33-40e0-99a2-1806aae607fc
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210818_a_deal_to_taco_bout_taco_johns_announces_biggest_franchise_agreement_in_bra.html
category: "Mexican"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Mexican"
published: 2021-08-18T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:11.737Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/tacojohns.jpg
---

# A Deal to Taco ‘Bout: Taco John’s Announces Biggest Franchise Agreement in Brand History

**TL;DR:** Taco John's has signed its largest area development agreement with Meritage Hospitality Group to build 50 new restaurants by March 31, 2026, with options for 150 more. The agreement is a significant milestone for the brand, which is poised for growth.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-08-18. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210818_a_deal_to_taco_bout_taco_johns_announces_biggest_franchise_agreement_in_bra.html).*

## Story

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Taco John’s International Inc. (Taco John’s), a quick-service Mexican franchise, inked its biggest area development agreement to date with the largest Wendy’s franchisee, Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. (OTCQX: MHGU)

Per the terms of the agreement, the group will build 50 new Taco John’s restaurants by March 31, 2026 with options to develop an additional 150 restaurants.

“Taco John’s is the perfect fit for our company. While exploring concepts to expand our portfolio, we were quickly attracted to Taco John’s,” said Gary Rose, president and COO of Meritage Hospitality Group. “We are excited about the Mexican restaurant segment and the Bigger, Bolder, Better direction of the brand. We’re excited to open our first restaurants near our headquarters in west Michigan in 2022.”

“This is historic for our brand,” said Brooks Speirs, vice president for franchise development. “As we begin our growth into new markets, there is no better partner than Meritage. While getting to know the group, I’ve been impressed with the organizational infrastructure, attention to detail, commitment to people, operations capabilities and development of top-notch restaurants.

Differentiating itself in the popular Mexican quick-service segment, Taco John’s prides itself on a unique menu that features delicious, quality-made food. 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.

“Over the last few years, we have been building fantastic momentum,” said Jim Creel, president and CEO of Taco John’s. “As a 50-plus year-old brand we knew we needed a modern look to energize our current locations. At the same time, we have elevated our executive team and board. The agreement with Meritage is a capstone moment, illuminating all the hard work the Taco John’s team has put in place.”

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)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- Wendy's (company)
- restaurant growth (topic)
- Taco John's (company)
- Jim Creel (person)
- area development agreement (topic)
- Meritage Hospitality Group (company)
- mexican qsr (topic)
- Brooks Speirs (person)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210818_a_deal_to_taco_bout_taco_johns_announces_biggest_franchise_agreement_in_bra.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/4b8e0bf0-5e33-40e0-99a2-1806aae607fc).