News Summary
Del Taco, a California-based restaurant chain, has announced plans to open its first location in Lexington, Kentucky, aiming for up to five restaurants in the area. This expansion is led by Dustin Thompson, the director of franchise marketing. Additionally, Jack in the Box is looking to enter the Lexington market, adding competition to the fast-casual dining scene. With a focus on fresh ingredients, Del Taco’s menu will cater to local tastes, while both franchises seek suitable partners for successful launches within the next two years.
Lexington, Kentucky – Del Taco, a restaurant chain based in California known for its fresh tacos, is planning to open its first location in Kentucky, specifically in Lexington. The company aims to establish up to five restaurants in the area, marking its expansion into a new market. This announcement comes from Dustin Thompson, the director of franchise marketing and development at Del Taco.
Del Taco operates under the same parent company as Jack in the Box, which also has plans for expansion in Lexington. Jack in the Box is seeking to open up to seven restaurants in the area. Currently, there are at least three Jack in the Box locations already operational in Louisville, but none in Lexington as of now. Similar to Del Taco, Jack in the Box is on the lookout for franchisees to manage its restaurants, potentially favoring operators separate from those of Del Taco.
Thompson has expressed enthusiasm for entering the Lexington market, highlighting the unique offerings of both Del Taco and Jack in the Box. Once suitable franchise partners are found, the anticipated opening of the first Del Taco and Jack in the Box locations is expected within a 24-month timeframe. Candidates for operating these franchises are preferred to have a solid background in business and restaurant operations.
Del Taco’s menu is characterized by a selection of items made with fresh ingredients, including house-made guacamole, pico de gallo, slow-steeped beans, and freshly grated cheese. Popular menu items include a steak burrito priced at $5.99, crispy chicken tacos for $2.19 each, and three-layer queso nachos available for $2.39. The restaurant chain is gaining traction in the region, with plans already announced for a ten-store deal in Indianapolis and expansions into several nearby states, including Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Jack in the Box operates as a 24-hour concept, allowing customers to order any menu item at any time of the day. The company is looking to establish its presence in areas within New Circle Road in Lexington as well as nearby cities such as Richmond, Winchester, Georgetown, London, Frankfort, and Morehead. Potential locations identified for Jack in the Box in Lexington include the Nicholasville Road corridor, the Hamburg area, near the University of Kentucky (UK) campus, along Tates Creek near Man o’ War, and on New Circle Road near the Bryan Station/Russell Cave road area.
Van Ingram, the vice president for franchise development at Jack in the Box, indicated that Lexington’s demographics and growth potential make it an appealing market for the brand’s diverse menu offerings. With Del Taco operating a total of 595 locations across 18 states, the expansion into Lexington and surrounding regions represents a significant opportunity for growth.
This development mirrors a wider trend of popular food franchises looking to expand their coverage in various U.S. cities, aiming to capture a larger share of the fast-casual dining market. As more consumers seek accessible dining options, the entry of Del Taco and Jack in the Box into Lexington will cater to the tastes and preferences of local residents. The success of these new locations will hinge on finding qualified franchisees who can deliver on the quality and spirit of the brands.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com
- Wikipedia: Del Taco
- RetailWire
- Google Search: Del Taco restaurant news
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: restaurant chains
- WKRN
- Google News: restaurant expansion
