TacoTime

#337

At a Glance

Products & Services: Quick-service Mexican restaurant

Number of Locations: 292

Total Investment: $323.4K - 1.34M

Founded: 1958

Began Franchising: 1961

About TacoTime

After graduating from the University of Oregon, Taco Time founder Ron Fraedrick fell in love with the Mexican cuisine he sampled as he traveled throughout Southern California. Deciding to bring back his newfound taste to his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, Fraedrick opened up the first Taco Time restaurant in 1959. Using spices Fraedrick created himself, the restaurant sold more than 3,500 tacos in its opening weekend. The company opened its first franchise in 1961 and now has franchises in both freestanding and express sites throughout the United States and Canada as well as in Japan and Kuwait. In 2000, the company introduced Brand Renaissance, which includes a facility décor package and updated food mix and packaging, as a renewal of the brand.

TacoTime is owned by Kahala, franchisor of Blimpie, Cereality, Cold Stone Creamery, Frullati Café & Bakery, Great Steak & Potato, Johnnie's, Nrgize, Ranch 1, Rollerz, Samurai Sam's and Surf City Squeeze.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2012	153	122	6	11
2011	164	122	6	11
2010	170	119	7	0
2009	170	119	6	0

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units worldwide.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $323,400 - $1,339,550
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Liquid Cash Available: $30,000

Operations

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 - 20. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators).