Buffalo Wild Wings announced expanded plans to grow the R Taco fast-casual restaurant chain, which the company invested in as part of its strategy to partner with emerging restaurant concepts that have the potential for significant growth. Currently R Taco has 13 company-owned and franchised locations serving street-style tacos in Dallas, Denver, Omaha, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, with plans to nearly double in number of locations over the next six months.
Buffalo Wild Wings is seeking interested and qualified franchisees and business partners with multi-restaurant experience to expand R Taco to markets including Indianapolis; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; Nashville; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kansas City and St. Louis. R Taco plans to expand its corporate-owned restaurant locations as well.
“We see an opportunity to grow R Taco with partners who share our enthusiasm for the brand and want to bring this fresh and fun restaurant to more people in new markets,” says Tom Berzinski, vice president, managing director, R Taco.
Launched in Dallas in 2010 as Rusty Taco and named for co-founder Rusty Fenton, the company shortened its name last year to R Taco to provide broader appeal as the concept expands beyond its Dallas roots. “As founder Rusty Fenton always said, ‘Tacos are the most important meal of the day,’ and we believe providing guests with the freshest ingredients and authentic tasting street-style tacos at an affordable price in a friendly and fun atmosphere is a concept that works well regardless of geography,” says Steve Dunn, CEO, R Taco.
A typical R Taco location is 1,800 to 2,500 square feet, located in an existing free-standing endcap or urban storefronts, with an exclusive patio and adequate parking. Restaurants have a welcoming atmosphere with quirky décor, bold colors, an open ceiling and open kitchen, with natural and industrial lighting. Service is provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
R Taco also announced plans to add new company-owned and franchise locations, along with the addition of a new franchise group to bring the concept to south Texas and Louisiana. Franchise owner Chris and Kimberly Olexa signed a multi-unit agreement to open R Taco in Beaumont, Texas; Baytown Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana. Chris and Kimberly Olexa currently own and operate seven Buffalo Wild Wings franchise locations in Texas and Louisiana.
“We see a rising demand for niche concepts that offer unique experiences and fresh ingredients, and believe R Taco has potential for significant growth,” Berzinski says.
