1992
10
$154,800
$49,900
$310,800
No
Taco Rico is a beloved Tex-Mex fast-casual restaurant chain that has been delighting customers with its sizzling fajitas, cooked-to-order steaks, and vibrant self-serve salsa bar since 1992. With a commitment to quality ingredients and personalized service, Taco Rico has cultivated a loyal customer base and achieved year-over-year growth.
As a franchisee, you'll join a brand that offers a proven operating system, strong purchasing power, and a streamlined operation that can be managed with as few as four employees. The franchise provides diverse revenue streams, including dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering services, ensuring multiple avenues for profitability.
Taco Rico's warm, family-oriented atmosphere and beloved Tex-Mex menu make it a standout in the crowded fast-casual market. With a focus on quality and community, Taco Rico is poised for continued success and offers a compelling opportunity for prospective franchisees.
Proven Business Model: Taco Rico has been thriving for over two decades, offering a streamlined operation and strong purchasing power that ensures low product costs and high-profit potential.
High-Profit Potential: Franchisees can expect an average unit volume of $1,299,378 and an average net profit of $242,803, based on 2023 data from Taco Rico’s 2024 FDD.
Diverse Revenue Streams: The franchise offers multiple avenues for income, including dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering services, maximizing earnings potential.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support in areas such as location development, vendor relationships, marketing, staffing, and cuisine replication.
Affordable Investment: Compared to other Tex-Mex concepts, Taco Rico offers an economical investment opportunity with a total initial investment ranging from $154,800 to $310,800.
Established Year: 1992
Taco Rico was founded in 1992, positioning itself as a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant that emphasizes high-quality ingredients, customizable meals, and a family-friendly dining experience. Over the decades, the brand has maintained its commitment to fresh, made-to-order meals while staying competitive in the rapidly growing Tex-Mex market in the USA.
Founders: Leland Neal
Leland Neal, the founder, envisioned a brand that combined authentic Tex-Mex flavors with a modern, fast-casual dining experience. His approach focused on simplicity, consistency, and customer satisfaction, which became the foundation of Taco Rico’s operational model and brand reputation.
Franchise Units – Current Number: 10 (as of 2025)
Taco Rico currently operates 10 locations across Southern Florida. These include a mix of corporate-owned and franchisee-operated restaurants. The first franchisee-owned unit opened in 2015 in Kendall, with subsequent units in Brickell and Cutler Bay. This carefully planned expansion demonstrates the brand’s controlled growth strategy while ensuring operational quality across all locations.
Ownership: Privately Owned
Taco Rico remains a privately owned brand, allowing it to maintain its core values, operational consistency, and quality control while pursuing strategic franchise expansion.
Brand Journey & Company History:
1992-2010: Established a loyal local customer base in Miami and surrounding areas with a focus on high-quality, made-to-order Tex-Mex dishes.
2011-2015: Enhanced operations with streamlined service models and upgraded restaurant designs to support future franchise growth.
2015-Present: Expanded into franchising, opening the first franchise unit in Kendall, Florida, followed by new units in Brickell, Cutler Bay, and other locations. Taco Rico continues to refine its operational and marketing systems to ensure franchisee success.
Market Presence in the USA:
Taco Rico’s current operations are concentrated in Southern Florida, a key market for Tex-Mex cuisine. The brand is actively seeking franchise partners to expand into other states, capitalizing on the growing popularity of Tex-Mex fast-casual dining nationwide.
Industry Category: Fast-Casual Tex-Mex Restaurant
Taco Rico competes in the fast-casual dining sector, catering to customers who seek high-quality, freshly prepared meals in a convenient, family-friendly environment. The brand differentiates itself with made-to-order meals, a signature self-serve salsa bar, and a strong reputation for quality and consistency.
Other Information:
Taco Rico emphasizes strong community engagement, hosting local events and promotions to build brand loyalty.
The company invests in continuous staff training, culinary innovation, and marketing campaigns to maintain a competitive edge.
Taco Rico’s operational model allows franchisees to manage restaurants efficiently, typically with a small core team, making it accessible for new entrepreneurs.
Taco Rico offers a comprehensive support system to ensure franchisee success:
Pre-Launch Support: Assistance in site selection, lease negotiation, and store design to ensure optimal location and layout.
Training: A detailed training program covering all aspects of restaurant operations, including food preparation, customer service, and management practices.
Ongoing Operational Support: Continuous guidance in areas such as inventory management, staffing, and quality control to maintain consistent service standards.
Marketing Support: Access to marketing materials and strategies to promote the brand and attract customers.
Vendor Relationships: Connections with exclusive vendors to ensure high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
Taco Rico seeks franchisees who are not only financially capable but also aligned with the brand’s values and operational expectations. The ideal franchisee profile includes the following characteristics:
1. Business-Oriented and Managerially Skilled
The franchisee should have a strong understanding of business operations, including financial management, staffing, and marketing.
Prior experience in running a business, restaurant, or food-service operation is advantageous but not mandatory.
The ability to oversee daily operations, manage a small team, and maintain quality control is critical to ensure the success of the franchise.
2. Passionate About Food and Customer Experience
A genuine interest in the food industry and delivering high-quality Tex-Mex cuisine is essential.
Franchisees should embrace Taco Rico’s commitment to freshly prepared meals, personalized service, and a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.
A customer-focused mindset helps drive repeat business and positive brand reputation.
3. Community-Focused and Engaged
Taco Rico values franchisees who actively engage with their local community.
Hosting events, participating in local promotions, and building strong relationships with customers contribute to the long-term success of each location.
4. Financially Capable
Franchisees must have the financial resources to cover the initial investment, including franchise fees, infrastructure costs, working capital, and marketing expenses.
The ability to sustain operations during the initial growth phase is crucial to achieve profitability.
5. Location Preferences
Ideal candidates are looking to establish their restaurant in urban or suburban areas with a population of at least 50,000 residents.
Locations with high visibility, accessibility, and foot traffic are preferred for maximizing customer reach and revenue potential.
6. Entrepreneurial Spirit and Commitment
Franchisees should have a strong work ethic, entrepreneurial mindset, and willingness to follow the proven operational model of Taco Rico.
Commitment to ongoing training, compliance with brand standards, and active participation in marketing initiatives are important for long-term success.
7. Growth-Oriented Mindset
Franchisees who are interested in expanding their Taco Rico operations to multiple locations in the future are considered ideal.
Ambition, strategic planning, and the ability to scale operations while maintaining quality standards align with Taco Rico’s expansion goals.
Summary:
The ideal Taco Rico franchisee combines business acumen, financial capability, and a passion for Tex-Mex cuisine with a customer-focused, community-oriented approach. They are hands-on, committed to operational excellence, and aligned with the brand’s core values of quality, service, and family-friendly dining.
| Category | Details / Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $49,900 | One-time fee paid to join the Taco Rico brand |
| Total Initial Investment | $154,800 – $310,800 | Includes franchise fee, equipment, leasehold improvements, pre-opening expenses, and initial inventory |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Costs | $75,000 – $150,000 | Varies by location size and condition of premises |
| Working Capital | $25,000 – $50,000 | For first 3–6 months of operations |
| Marketing Budget / Advertising Fee | Typically 2–3% of monthly sales | Includes local marketing campaigns and brand promotions |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of monthly gross sales | Ongoing fee for using the Taco Rico brand and support system |
| Average Unit Volume (AUV) | $1,299,378 | Based on 2023 data from existing locations |
| Average Net Profit | $242,803 | Estimated annual profit after operating expenses |
| Break-Even Time | 12–24 months | Varies by location and operational efficiency |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery, Catering | Multiple income avenues to diversify revenue |
| Minimum Investment Required | $154,800 | Lowest possible startup cost for small-scale locations |
| Potential ROI | 20–25% annually | Based on AUV and net profit estimates |
| Franchise Units (Current) | 10 | Mix of corporate-owned and franchisee-operated units (as of 2025) |
