Remember when America's Taco Shop, the casual, counter-service Mexican eatery from America Corrales and husband Terry Bortin used to be a charming little renovated house on Seventh Street in Central Phoenix?
That was 2008. But times (sigh), they do have a way of a-changin'.
See also: America's Taco Shop Opening New Location in Old Town America's Taco Shop: Happy Hour Report Card
Today, the Bortins currently own four of six America's Taco Shops in Arizona. The other two -- including the latest one to open in Scottsdale in October -- are franchised through Kahala, a Scottsdale-based company "dedicated to the franchising, development, and marketing of quick-service restaurants." Some of Kahala's clients include Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie, and Samurai Sam's.
And Kahala's got some plans for America's. National plans.
According to Nation's Restaurant News, America's Taco Shop (via Kahala) will open a new, franchised unit in Bethesda, Maryland, in November in addition to six new restaurants in Miami, Texas, and Arizona at a later date.
The new franchised units, says Dana Mead, Kahala's director of franchise development, will feature "a fast-casual atmosphere and range from 1,200 to 1,800 square feet. They also feature an updated version of the original four units' traditional taqueria look," Nation's Restaurant News reports.
Wanna get in on America's Taco Shop's franchise action? The initial investment will cost you between $224,150 and $821,550. And there's a $30,000 franchise fee for the first unit.
What's that, America Corrales and Terry Bortin? Ka-ching? Yes, indeed.
