Staffing

Taco John’s names Ian Poole VP of development

Photo: Taco John's

April 23, 2026

Summarize with

Mexican QSR chain Taco John's has appointed Ian Poole as vice president of development to lead its national expansion and franchise support efforts, according to a press release..

Poole joins the company with nearly 20 years of experience in business development and franchising. He previously served as vice president of development for Subway, where he managed North American franchise sales, real estate and construction for more than 22,000 locations. His career also includes development roles with Dunkin' and Planet Fitness.

In his new position, Poole will oversee the brand's expansion while focusing on real estate, construction and streamlining the onboarding process for franchisees. Poole also brings experience from the ownership side, having previously served as a franchisee for Burger King, Popeyes and Arby's with Ambrosia QSR.

"Taco John's has built a strong foundation with a clear commitment to franchisee support, and I'm eager to help accelerate the brand's expansion momentum," Poole said. "Stepping into this role, my goal is to expand Taco John's footprint in an intentional, sustainable way, delivering streamlined end-to-end support for every owner in our network. We're creating a system for both new and existing franchisees to scale with confidence, and looking ahead, I am excited for the growth that's to come and the opportunities ahead for the brand."

The appointment follows a year of operational investments for the brand as it seeks to strengthen its infrastructure for current and future partners.

"Ian's addition to the team is a landmark appointment as we continue to strengthen our franchisee development systems and path to ownership," Heather Neary, president and CEO of Taco John's, added in the press release. "His perspective as both an executive and franchisee offer invaluable insights into how we can continue to enhance our foundation to ensure each franchisee is set up for success. As we continue to build off the momentum from last year's operational investments, we are excited to have Ian's expertise and support on the team."

Taco John's has more than 325 restaurants in 21 states.