Tulsa-based Quality Brand Management, LLC, has signed on as Dallas-based Taco Bueno Restaurant’s second major franchise partner with plans to establish the Mexican quick-service restaurant in Arkansas. The first unit in the deal is set to open in Little Rock before the end of the year.
The new deal with Taco Bueno represents Quality Brand Management’s first foray into a new quick-service brand.
“We have a very aggressive growth plan because we believe in the Taco Bueno brand,” says Rick Verity, Quality Brand Management. “Little Rock is such a vibrant market and has great infrastructure for development.”
Quality Brand Management also has plans to debut Taco Bueno restaurants in Russellville and Conway, Arkansas.
“Quality Brand Management has the proven track record and deep operational infrastructure that Taco Bueno continues to seek in a franchise partner,” says Jeff Seeberger, vice president of franchising for Taco Bueno. “With our recent agreement with U.S. Beef and other deals in the works, Taco Bueno is right on track with our national growth strategy.”
The restaurant chain’s growth, begun under the ownership of Jacobson Partners, will continue to accelerate once the chain’s new owner, Palladium Equity Partners LLC, takes the reigns in August. Palladium, a New York-based private equity firm, agreed to acquire the 140-unit quick-service chain in June for an undisclosed sum from Jacobson Partners, an investment firm also in New York.
