Taco John's vs La Bamba Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Taco John's Franchise
La Bamba Franchise
Investment $475,000 - $1,599,000$187,000 - $335,833
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 4%-
Year Founded 19681987
Year Franchised 19691989
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
La Bamba Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Taco John's Franchise
    La Bamba 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
    La Bamba 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
    La Bamba 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 La Bamba

    La Bamba Mexican Restaurants Group is a chain of 20+ concept-based Mexican "fast casual" restaurants serving both college towns and big cities, primarily in the Midwest. With a catchy "Burritos as big as your head" slogan, La Bamba features cooked-to-order Mexican meals in the $6-$7 range as well as a selection of Value Meals. The food is delicious and truly authentic Mexican, the portions are large and the service is quick. Our restaurants are all decorated with a bright, Mexican theme in red, white and green that helps to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurants begin serving lunch at 11:00 a.m. and stay open late at night to cater to the "after bar-closing"crowd.