Taco John's vs Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Taco John's Franchise
Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise
Investment $475,000 - $1,599,000$132,500 - $556,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 4%-
Year Founded 19681960
Year Franchised 19692001
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+10-
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+10-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Taco John's Franchise
Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks-
    Operations 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
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Iceberg Drive Inn Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    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.


    About Iceberg Drive Inn

    The first Iceberg Drive Inn was opened by Lamar Sorensen on April 12, 1960.  A local ice cream machine salesman named Hap Vitale had the idea for a building with a distinctive roof that served great milkshakes, burgers and fries.  He convinced Lamar to open this concept and Iceberg Drive Inn was born.  It was located on the corner of 900 East and 3900 South in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The building was originally designed to be moved after a few years as he was only renting the land at the time.  Many report that it was the first drive thru in the Salt Lake City area.  Lamar insisted that Drive Inn be spelled with two "n’s” as he felt it appeared friendlier to invite people to an "inn” rather than simply a "drive in”.