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Taco John's adds two development execs to fuel 'dramatic' growth

July 3, 2013

With a new CEO on board and aggressive growth goals in place, Taco John's International has added two development specialists with a combined 44 years of QSR experience. Dan James has been named as the brand's new chief development officer and Van Ingram has been named vice president of Franchise Development.

James said their first priority is to identify growth opportunities in Taco John's current markets.

"As we continue to expand out from our current market base, that will make it easier to find and sign new franchise prospects in undeveloped markets. Taco John's has great performing restaurants in the outlying areas of several large cities, and one goal will be to develop in more densely populated metropolitan areas," he said.

James has 29 years of industry experience, including with McDonald's and Hardee's. He spent the last 15 years with the Arby's Restaurant Group as national vice president of Real Estate. Ingram has worked for 15 years in franchise development with a variety of companies including Yum! Brands and Arby's.

"The QSR Mexican category is one of the fastest-growing categories within the QSR channel," says Ingram. "Fast food burger sales and other QSR channels are flat. People need to look into broadening their portfolio, and I think one area where they can find growth is in the Mexican category with a brand like Taco John's."

James and Ingram worked closely together during the past seven years at Arby's. They will continue working side-by-side at Taco John's, creating the right processes for real estate, design and construction to drive new growth. Ingram said they'll start by offering existing franchisees more support and resources to expand, and will then pursue multiunit franchisees of other concepts and new franchisees entering the industry.

Jeff Linville was named CEO of Taco John's in April. He also most recently worked for Arby's as a senior vice president.

Taco John's operates and franchises more than 400 restaurants in 25 states. Linville said the chain is poised for "dramatic growth."

Read more about franchising and growth.