Dallas — Rusty Taco, a street-style taco restaurant, plans to open a total of 14 new units by year end. Recent openings in both streetside settings and non-traditional venues have marked significant milestones for Rusty Taco, integral to the brand’s strategic growth plans. With more than 30 locations currently open, the addition of 14 new units signifies a 40% increase in growth and a monumental achievement for the brand.
“There’s no better way to spend time with your loved ones than to relax and eat tacos,” says Denise Fenton, co-founder and brand director of Rusty Taco. “Our brand brings an approachable street-taco experience that can be a part of any community. Our recent and upcoming openings allow us to reach more guests in both new and existing markets and we are excited about our growth in the year ahead and beyond.”
This past April, Rusty Taco reopened its Dubuque, Iowa, location under new ownership. Soon after, the brand made its debut in Atlanta with an opening in Summerhill. This is the first of two highly-anticipated restaurants coming to Georgia with the second location opening in Decatur by late summer. Rusty Taco also expanded its existing market presence, recently opening a new restaurant in Pleasant View, Utah, in June. To cap off the year, Rusty Taco will open a new location in Rockford, Ill., under the same ownership as the Dubuque restaurant group with additional expansion plans throughout Illinois.
“We are thrilled to be growing the Rusty Taco brand with proven restaurant operators in new markets,” says Daniel Smith, who was named president of Rusty Taco in June. “It is an exciting time at Rusty Taco, with so many restaurants coming to new communities. We are dialed in on our traditional and non-traditional expansion plans, seeking interested franchisees who want to take advantage of our room for growth and strong community appeal.”
In addition to developing in local neighborhoods, Rusty Taco is focused on non-traditional development. The brand recently locked in a partnership with Good 2 Go Eats, LLC, a convenience store chain with 75 locations. The first Rusty Taco inside a Good 2 Go store opened in Ammon, Idaho, in 2023, followed by the signing of an additional eight units. A new location opened in Herriman, Utah, in April 2024, with more units planned for Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo. These on-the-go restaurant formats are all expected to be open inside the Good 2 Go stores by the end of the year.
Beyond the convenience store model, Rusty Taco has established a proof of concept in other non-traditional formats, including experience in university dining and a spot in Concourse D of Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Rusty Taco also has a concessions location at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
To further support its growth and operations, Rusty Taco has opened a new headquarters in Plano, Texas. Current franchise growth is targeted in key states like Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Florida. For more information, visit www.rustytacofranchising.com/.
The first Rusty Taco location opened in Dallas in 2010. Today, the brand has more than 30 locations across 13 states and is currently franchising in available markets throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.RustyTaco.com.
SOURCE: Rusty Taco