The Tex-Mex fast-casual segment represents a $60+ billion industry growing 4.8% annually as consumers seek flavorful, healthier alternatives to traditional fast food. Taco Rico has evolved from a Miami college hangout into a South Florida Tex-Mex powerhouse with 20 locations, built on unique recipes, top-grade ingredients, and remarkable customer service. Join a proven brand offering significantly lower investment than competitors through strategic second-generation location targeting!
Taco Rico at a Glance:
- Established 1992, franchising since 2015 with 15 franchised and 5 corporate locations
- Investment $155K-$341K (significantly lower than Tex-Mex competitors at $319K-$766K)
- Second-generation locations strategy reducing buildout costs and launch timelines
- Strong Item 19 financial performance representations in Franchise Disclosure Document
- 150+ hours comprehensive training with founder-led support through launch
- Multi-unit area development focus with semi-passive ownership managing general managers
Taco Rico Tex Mex Franchise Opportunity
Since 1992, Taco Rico has grown from a hole-in-the-wall serving budget-conscious college students into a South Florida Tex-Mex powerhouse operating 20 locations. By combining unique recipes sourced from top-grade ingredients with remarkable customer service, we developed a franchisable business model designed for national expansion under the “Taco Works” trademark outside Florida. Our strategic focus on second-generation locations allows franchisees to launch operations at a fraction of typical brick-and-mortar investment while capturing the growing $60 billion Tex-Mex market.
Why Franchise With Taco Rico
Our proven Tex-Mex fast-casual model delivers success for franchisees and memorable experiences for customers.
- Significantly Lower Investment: $155K-$341K total investment compared to competitors (Pancheros $344K-$766K, Salsarita’s $355K-$619K, Chronic Tacos $319K-$534K) through second-generation location strategy.
- Second-Generation Location Advantage: Strategic focus on existing restaurant spaces with infrastructure already built dramatically reduces buildout costs, shortens launch timelines, and preserves capital for operations and marketing.
- Strong Item 19 Financials: Franchise Disclosure Document includes financial performance representations demonstrating profitability potential, providing transparency competitors often don’t offer.
- 150+ Hours Founder-Led Training: Comprehensive classroom and hands-on training with founder Leland personally ensuring successful launches. Weeks of daily in-store support during opening creating excellent customer reviews and social media buzz.
- Multiple Revenue Streams: Dine-in, takeout, third-party delivery platforms, and thriving catering business diversifying income sources and maximizing location profitability regardless of dining trends.
- Multi-Unit Growth Focus: Area development opportunities with discounted additional unit fees ($24,950 vs $49,500 first unit) supporting ambitious entrepreneurs building multiple-location networks with general manager teams.
Success Stories
Long-Tenured Staff Loyalty: Many Taco Rico team members have remained with the company over ten years, demonstrating strong culture, good working environment, and operational stability that makes managing easier for franchisees.
Multi-Unit Expansion Success: Franchisees leveraging area development agreements build networks of locations with general managers handling day-to-day operations, creating semi-passive ownership models generating consistent income across multiple units.
Second-Generation Speed to Market: Strategic location selection in existing restaurant spaces allows franchisees to launch operations in fraction of typical restaurant timeline, generating revenue months faster than ground-up buildouts while preserving capital.
“The training is unmatched—150+ hours with founder Leland personally involved. He was in our store every day during launch ensuring everything was perfect. Our social media posts were beautiful, reviews were excellent, and we hit profitability faster than projected.” – Taco Rico Franchisee
Training & Support
Taco Rico ensures franchisee success with comprehensive training and continuous operational support throughout franchise relationship.
- 150+ Hour Training Program: Industry-leading 4 days classroom training at Miami headquarters plus 21 days hands-on training at your location. Founder Leland’s personal involvement ensures quality control and successful launch execution.
- Launch Week Daily Support: Weeks of daily in-store support during opening ensuring lift-off success, beautiful customer social media posts, excellent online reviews, and immediate operational excellence.
- Site Selection & Lease Negotiation: Third-party site selection expert partnership using data and metrics finding perfect second-generation locations. Demographic partner facilitates hundreds of leases annually, maximizing tenant improvement dollars and managing CAM charges.
- Recruiting & Staffing Assistance: Proven systems for attracting, hiring, and training team members. Small manageable staff (13-15 employees) with high retention rates simplifying operations.
- Marketing & Co-Op Advertising: Co-op advertising programs for multi-unit operators in same designated market areas. Marketing support establishing local brand presence and driving customer traffic.
- Vendor Connections & Operations: Exclusive vendor relationships ensuring consistent ingredient quality and pricing. Operational support replicating cuisine quality and customer service standards across all locations.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The $60 billion Tex-Mex industry grows 4.8% annually driven by millennials seeking fast-casual concepts ($66 billion segment) offering healthier alternatives to traditional fast food. Taco Rico’s positioning captures this demographic shift while maintaining affordable price points appealing to broad customer base.
Competitive Advantage: Taco Rico’s second-generation location strategy creates 30-50% lower investment versus competitors requiring ground-up buildouts. Combined with strong Item 19 financials, 150+ hour founder-led training, and multi-unit focus with general manager model, franchisees capture Tex-Mex market growth without typical brick-and-mortar capital requirements and operational burdens.
ABF Investment Tip: Focus on markets with strong Hispanic populations, college students, and young professionals seeking affordable quality dining. Second-generation locations in strip centers with existing infrastructure offer fastest path to profitability. Consider area development from start—additional units at $24,950 (50% discount) versus $49,500 creates economies of scale. Markets outside Florida leverage “Taco Works” trademark for regional expansion opportunities.
Our Ideal Franchisee Partner
Values & Motivation
Taco Rico seeks multi-unit focused entrepreneurs passionate about Tex-Mex cuisine and building restaurant networks through proven systems. You’re motivated by managing general managers rather than day-to-day operations, creating multiple income streams, and scaling businesses efficiently. Previous restaurant experience helpful but NOT required—we value business acumen, commitment to training systems, and growth orientation.
Fit Indicators
You want brick-and-mortar business without million-dollar investment through second-generation location advantages. Ideal candidates are strategic multi-unit thinkers building networks with general manager teams, hands-on during launches transitioning to semi-passive oversight, and growth-oriented entrepreneurs leveraging area development discounts scaling efficiently across territories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is Taco Rico more affordable than other Tex-Mex franchises?
A: Strategic focus on second-generation locations (existing restaurant spaces) dramatically reduces buildout costs versus ground-up construction. Investment $155K-$341K compared to Pancheros ($344K-$766K), Salsarita’s ($355K-$619K), and Chronic Tacos ($319K-$534K). Existing infrastructure means faster launches and preserved capital for operations.
Q: What’s included in the 150+ hour training program?
A: 4 days classroom training at Miami headquarters covering recipes, operations, bookkeeping, and marketing, plus 21 days hands-on training at your location. Founder Leland personally involved ensuring quality. Weeks of daily in-store support during opening until operations run smoothly and customer reviews are excellent.
Q: Is this owner-operator or can I hire a general manager?
A: Semi-passive ownership encouraged. We focus on multi-unit owners managing general managers handling day-to-day operations. Active involvement expected during launch and oversight, but not behind grill daily. Small staff (13-15 employees) with high retention makes management easier.
Q: What are the investment requirements and ongoing fees?
A: Total investment $155K-$341K including $49,500 franchise fee (additional units $24,950—50% discount). Requirements: $500,000 minimum net worth, $40K-$341K cash investment. Ongoing: 5% royalties, 1.5% advertising fee. Investment includes business licenses, permits, legal fees, three-month capital reserve, and exclusive five-mile radius territory or 50,000 population.
Q: How does the area development option work?
A: Area development agreements allow securing larger territory opening multiple locations at your pace. Ideal for creating network of locations with general managers building steadfast income source. Additional unit franchise fee discounted 50% ($24,950 vs $49,500) rewarding multi-unit commitment. Co-op advertising benefits in same market areas.
Next Steps
Ready to join the proven Tex-Mex franchise offering significantly lower investment through second-generation location strategy and founder-led training ensuring success? Complete the form below to discuss territory availability, review Item 19 financials, explore area development opportunities, and learn how to launch your Taco Rico franchise.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Consult the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details about fees, obligations, financial performance, and all franchise terms before making any investment decision.