The Taco Maker vs Taco John's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Taco Maker vs Taco John's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Taco Maker Franchise
Taco John's Franchise
Investment $221,000 - $400,000$475,000 - $1,599,000
Franchise Fee $19,000 - $29,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -4%
Year Founded 19781968
Year Franchised 19781969
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years+10+10+10
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years+10+10+10
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Taco Maker Franchise
Taco John's Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    The Taco Maker Franchise
    Taco John's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Taco Maker Franchise
    Taco John's Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 35

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    37% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Taco Maker Franchise
    Taco John's Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About The Taco Maker

    After gaining valuable experience in successfully developing a large franchise system, Gil L. Craig founded
    The Taco Maker Inc. in 1968. Based in Ogden, Utah, The Taco Maker franchise system has locations in the United States, Latin America, Western Europe, and the Far and Middle East. Franchise sites include traditional freestanding buildings and mall food courts as well as the Express program, which complements
    The Taco Maker's co-branding relationship with companies including Blimpie and selected service station chains. Now seeking motivated, outgoing individuals looking to franchise and become a part of a fast growing community. We offer a winning combination of food brands that include The Taco Maker, Jake's Over the Top, and Mayan Juice - all available as part of the same outlet. We have locations in a variety of outlet types, with design formats to meet almost every need. Our facilities are designed to reflect specific motifs with state-of-the-art materials and equipment. All of this sets us apart from the competition. The creation of fine foods starts with kitchen and production lines that are clean and organized in such a way as to encourage efficiency and minimize waste. Franchise Opportunities are Available! The diversity of our multiple-brand outlets makes them the most successful opportunities available. Single-concept outlets are available when restrictive elements exist because of covenants or prior exclusivity on competing products. We have the ability to go into spaces from 400 square feet to 3500 square feet in traditional freestanding units, convenience stores, shopping malls, food courts, airports, and in-line strip centers, all of which have all proven their success.

    About Taco John's

    The story of Taco John's sounds more like a legend than the history of a business. In Cheyenne, Wyoming, a man named Juan opened a tiny taco house, serving uniquely seasoned and generously sized tacos and burritos. An immediate hit with the locals, the taco house was quickly purchased by local businessmen Harold Holmes and Jim Woodson in 1969. Renamed Taco John's, it began selling franchises right away and now has restaurants across America. The privately held company is still based in Cheyenne.

    "Entrepreneur

    #115 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #315 in Franchise 500 for 2021.