Taco John's Opens First Co-Branded Store in Cheyenne

Wyoming-based Taco John's and Colorado-based Good Times have teamed up to test the co-location of a new store weaving both quick-service restaurants under one roof.

The test store at 101 S. Greeley Hwy. in Cheyenne has been operating as a Taco John’s restaurant at that location for 24 years. A complete remodel of the restaurant also incorporates the Cheyenne-based franchise’s new interior and exterior store design.

Paul Fisherkeller, president and CEO of Taco John’s International, Inc., said, “Taco John’s is exploring dual brands in an effort to accelerate expansion plans in markets contiguous to our core operating territory. We believe the Good Times brand to be very complementary to Taco John’s from the aspects of both brand positioning and operations.”

Taco John’s is also planning to open a store co-branded with Steak Escape in Fort Collins, Colo., later this year.

“We think that providing consumers with more choices under one roof will be very positive. Taco John’s will open approximately 25 new locations in 2004 with two or three of those stores dual branded. If the dual brand testing proves successful, it could play a significant role in Taco John’s future development and expansion,” Fisherkeller said.

The new co-branded store in Cheyenne matches two restaurants with brand positions both based on high quality, fresh, authentic, high-taste products within two very distinct segments of the quick-service restaurant category – burgers and frozen custard and Mexican food.

Taco John’s currently operates and franchises 402 Mexican quick-service restaurants in 24 states. In Wyoming, Taco John’s has 28 stores in 19 communities. Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard, headquartered in Golden, Colo., has 37 restaurants, mostly in Colorado.

“The new, dynamic look of our restaurants and the co-branding both help position Taco John’s for continued growth,” said Fisherkeller.

The interior and exterior designs for both the re-imaged and co-branded Taco John’s restaurants were created by Juerg Schmid and Kathy Diamond of Kathy Diamond Design Associates, with offices in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bath, Ohio. The new design focuses on the environment of Taco John’s restaurants to reflect the excellent quality Taco John’s customers have come to expect.

The first Taco John’s store opened in Cheyenne in 1969. This year marks the 35th anniversary for Wyoming’s only national restaurant chain.