
Taco Johns
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Taco Johns franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Taco John's serves tacos, burritos, breakfast items and Potato Oles. Its restaurants provide individual meals and catering, with ordering available through its website and mobile app.
Headline figures
Taco Johns quick facts
- Is Taco Johns a franchise?
- Yes. Taco Johns offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2024, it reported 333 franchised and 7 company-owned outlets (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 68).
- How much does it cost to open a Taco Johns franchise?
- The Taco Johns Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $454,175–$843,000 for non-traditional: total initial investment without real estate (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 30); $1,365,000–$2,120,000 for freestanding traditional — total estimated initial investment without real estate costs: $1,365,000 to $2,120,000 (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $811,400–$2,034,250 for traditional freestanding restaurant total estimated initial investment: $811,400 to $2,034,250. (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $1,066,100–$2,010,750 for dt digital olé: total initial investment (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 26); $802,310–$1,418,750 for traditional endcap: total initial investment (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25); $985,000–$1,745,000 for dt digital olé — total estimated initial investment without real estate costs: $985,000 to $1,745,000 (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 26); $805,000–$1,342,000 for endcap traditional — total estimated initial investment without real estate costs: $805,000 to $1,342,000 (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25); $390,000–$632,000 for non-traditional — total estimated initial investment without real estate costs: $390,000 to $632,000 (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 30). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Taco Johns charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 16). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 4.25% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 16). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Taco Johns disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Taco Johns FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 68). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Taco Johns locations are there?
- The FDD reports 340 outlets at the end of 2024 (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 68). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is Taco Johns a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
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: $454,175 – $843,000 (Non-traditional: Total initial investment without real estate); $811,400 – $2,034,250 (Traditional freestanding Restaurant Total Estimated Initial Investment: $811,400 to $2,034,250.); $1,066,100 – $2,010,750 (DT Digital Olé: Total initial investment); $802,310 – $1,418,750 (Traditional endcap: Total initial investment); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 15 separate groups: other measures and revenue for 62 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 62 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 248 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 62 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 6 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 62 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 7 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 6 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 7 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 6 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 26 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 6 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 6 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 7 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 25 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 24 in 2024, to 340 (Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Taco Johns head-to-head
Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.
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 4 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (4)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Non-traditional: Total initial investment without real estatePDF p. 30$454,175 – $843,000
- Traditional endcap: Total initial investmentPDF p. 25$802,310 – $1,418,750
- Traditional freestanding Restaurant Total Estimated Initial Investment: $811,400 to $2,034,250.PDF p. 24$811,400 – $2,034,250
- DT Digital Olé: Total initial investmentPDF p. 26$1,066,100 – $2,010,750
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- RoyaltyMain ongoing fee
56 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?
15 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
62 locations
Revenue and other measures · 62 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Second Quartile
- Excluded
- Excludes stores commencing operation during 2025 without 12 months' operation, a temporarily closed store due to tornado damage, 3 non-traditional stores, 7 stores without a drive-thru, 4 stores using DT Digital Olé or earlier nonrepresentative prototypes; 15 permanently closed outlets excluded
- Method
- Actual historical Average Sales; source data from approved POS or Approved Alternative System; not independently audited
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of Table 1, years 2022 to 2024 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 68
Net −28 outlets, 2022–2024
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2024 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
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 ($454,175 – $2,034,250) 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?
Reported units decreased from 364 to 340 in 2024. What drove the change?
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]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Second Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Lower Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Combined · PDF p. 68
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Top Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional endcap Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Top Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional freestanding Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Third Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional endcap Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Second Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional endcap Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Lower Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional endcap Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Third Quartile · PDF p. 68
- [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — C-store and travel-plaza Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Second Quartile · PDF p. 69
- [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional endcap Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Combined · PDF p. 68
- [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — C-store and travel-plaza Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Top Quartile · PDF p. 69
- [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — C-store and travel-plaza Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Third Quartile · PDF p. 69
- [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — C-store and travel-plaza Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Lower Quartile · PDF p. 69
- [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — C-store and travel-plaza Taco John’s 2025 restaurants, Combined · PDF p. 69
- [16]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 68
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
336 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
| Fiscal year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | total revenues | $36,370,278 |
| 2024 | net cash | -$3,490,178 |
| 2024 | total stockholders’ equity | $9,611,558 |
| 2024 | cash | $4,498,391 |
| 2024 | net | -$4,894,293 |
| 2024 | total assets | $27,291,413 |
| 2024 | total liabilities | $17,679,855 |
| 2023 | net | -$1,094,947 |
| 2023 | total assets | $31,527,541 |
| 2023 | total stockholders’ equity | $14,686,517 |
| 2023 | cash | $6,532,231 |
| 2023 | total revenues | $38,152,299 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
What changed from 2025 to 2026
- Estimated initial investment: $390,000 – $2,120,000 → $454,175 – $2,034,250
- Franchise fee: $24,000 → $15,000
- System size: 364 → 340 units
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.
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Reader notes on wording
Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total revenues — 2024
“Total revenues $36,370,278”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total liabilities — 2022
“Total liabilities $16,828,804”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net (loss) income — 2023
“Net (loss) income $(1,094,947)”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 197 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net cash (used in) operating activities — 2024
“Net cash (used in) operating activities $(3,490,178)”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total assets — 2023
“Total assets $31,527,541”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total stockholders’ equity — 2022
“Total stockholders’ equity $18,144,627”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total stockholders’ equity — 2024
“Total stockholders’ equity $9,611,558”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 197 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net cash (used in) operating activities — 2022
“Net cash (used in) operating activities $(2,359,219)”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Cash — 2022
“Cash $6,810,546”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total stockholders’ equity — 2023
“Total stockholders’ equity $14,686,517”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Cash — 2023
“Cash $6,532,231”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total revenues — 2023
“Total revenues $38,152,299”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total liabilities — 2023
“Total liabilities $16,841,024”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 197 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net cash (used in) operating activities — 2023
“Net cash (used in) operating activities $(571,420)”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total revenues — 2022
“Total revenues $35,288,851”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Cash — 2024
“Cash $4,498,391”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net (loss) income — 2022
“Net (loss) income $2,136,504”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 195 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net (loss) income — 2024
“Net (loss) income $(4,894,293)”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total assets — 2024
“Total assets $27,291,413”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 194 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total liabilities — 2024
“Total liabilities $17,679,855”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Item 21 · PDF p. 193 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Total assets — 2022
“Total assets $34,973,431”
Note: The cited page excerpt does not contain the supplied quote verbatim; unable to settle from this page citation.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.




