Taco John's vs El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Taco John's Franchise
El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise
Investment $475,000 - $1,599,000$550,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 4%-
Year Founded 19681988
Year Franchised 19692003
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+1010 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+1010 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Taco John's Franchise
El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Taco John's Franchise
    El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Taco John's Franchise
    El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesToll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksCo-op advertising
    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
    El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill

    In 1988, one of Dora’s youngest son’s opened the first El Taco Tote restaurant in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Inspired by his childhood memories decided to start a very authentic and new concept of tacos.

    El Taco Tote’s popularity grew, taking it into multiple cities in Mexico and the United States.
    Today, Tacotote consists of over 20 locations in 11 cities, with more to come.