News

Arby's executive named as Taco John's CEO

April 16, 2013

Mexican quick-service restaurant chain Taco John's International has selected Jeff Linville to be its new chief executive officer. An industry veteran with 28 years of restaurant experience, most recently as senior vice president for the Arby's Restaurant Group, Linville's initial objectives are national recognition and growth of the brand.

"This is definitely a brand that can grow throughout the United States. With an emphasis on the freshness of the food along with how it is prepared and delivered, Taco John's is very unique, a best kept secret really. I think this brand just needs to get the word out," Linville saidl. "As I learned more about Taco John's, it started to hit me, why don't we have 1,000 restaurants? 2,000? There is a huge growth opportunity with Taco John's."

Linville's strategic plan focuses on three areas: unit growth; continued comp sales growth; and continuing to enhance margins for profit growth and profit share for franchisees.

"Most restaurants want to take the easy route — start cutting food, cutting labor – but that's not the way to long term profit enhancement. There are a lot of ways to get there while increasing the value of your business. It's harder but it certainly is more sustainable long term," he said.

Linville also plans to continue to focus on Taco John's culture, which he says is already strong.

"When I started talking with Taco John's, the first thing I did was go to YouTube and start looking up the restaurant. It was the only brand I could find where employees of different restaurants around the country had made videos about how much they love working at Taco John's. Nobody else does that," Linville said. "It is a strength we need to take advantage of."

Starting today, Linville will spend time training, preparing food and serving customers behind the counter as a frontline employee.

Taco John's operates and franchises more than 400 units in 25 states.

Read more about franchising and growth.