Rusty Taco
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Rusty Taco franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
- Franchising since
- 2011 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Minneapolis, MN United States Source: franchise.org
Rusty Taco franchise specializes in authentic street-style tacos and Mexican fare, building a loyal following with its fresh ingredients and casual dining atmos
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Rusty Taco franchise?
- The Rusty Taco Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $1,129,950 for estimated initial investment — total high (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 17); $529,400–$1,129,950 for estimated initial investment — total low (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 17). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the Rusty Taco initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $30,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 11). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
- What ongoing fees does Rusty Taco charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is $5 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $2 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Rusty Taco disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Rusty Taco FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 44). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $1,129,950 (Estimated initial investment — total high); $529,400 – $1,129,950 (Estimated initial investment — total low); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 5 separate groups: other measures for 23 franchised locations; other measures for 8 franchised locations; other measures for 8 franchised locations; other measures for 7 franchised locations; revenue for franchised locations. They are not combined.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 2 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Estimated initial investment — total lowPDF p. 17$529,400 – $1,129,950
- Estimated initial investment — total highPDF p. 17$1,129,950
Standard single-unit franchise fee
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 11
Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty rateMain ongoing fee
29 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
5 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 23 locations
- Who is counted
- Total Data Set of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data set
- Period
- Highest AUV
- Method
- Historical results based on franchisee-provided information; table figures are AUV; Gross Sales as defined in FDD.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 8 locations
- Who is counted
- Top Third of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data set
- Period
- Number exceeding AUV
- Method
- Historical results based on franchisee-provided information; table figures are AUV; Gross Sales as defined in FDD.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 8 locations
- Who is counted
- Bottom Third of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data set
- Period
- Percentage exceeding AUV
- Method
- Historical results based on franchisee-provided information; table figures are AUV; Gross Sales as defined in FDD.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 7 locations
- Who is counted
- Middle Third of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data set
- Period
- Highest AUV
- Method
- Historical results based on franchisee-provided information; table figures are AUV; Gross Sales as defined in FDD.
Franchised locations
Revenue
- Who is counted
- One Rusty Taco restaurant operating in an airport terminal, excluded from 2025 data set
- Period
- FY2025
- Excluded
- Excluded from the 23-restaurant traditional data set.
- Method
- Gross Sales reported separately because franchisor expects to grant additional airport-location franchises.
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Coverage not stated in the reviewed record · counts as of year end of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 ·
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($529,400 – $1,129,950) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 11
- [2]Item 19 — Franchised (23 locations) — other measures · PDF p. 44
- [3]Item 19 — Franchised (8 locations) — other measures — Top Third of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data set · PDF p. 44
- [4]Item 19 — Franchised (8 locations) — other measures — Bottom Third of traditional franchised Rusty Taco restaurants in the 2025 data… · PDF p. 44
- [5]Item 19 — Franchised (7 locations) — other measures · PDF p. 44
- [6]Item 19 — Franchised locations — revenue · PDF p. 44
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
No territory or operating requirements have been reviewed yet.
35 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
Loading…
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Bojangles Opco, LLCMSMoe’s Southwest Grill
Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLCNNNAF NAF Middle Eastern Grill
Paris Banh MiHead-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Not reviewed
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.