RISE - Menu Monitor

Menu Development |
Taco John’s is selling a Crispy Burrito at select units in Wyoming. The item, which was created by area culinary students, is
available at five units and features shredded beef, Cheddar cheese, onions and Taco John’s Ketchipotle sauce. It comes with
a side of ranch dipping sauce. (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle 1/30/07)
Taco John’s rolled out its popular Mexi Rolls to all of its domestic units. The finger food item includes seasoned beef, beans
and cheese wrapped in a crispy tortilla and paired with a side of nacho cheese dip. It is available as a 2-piece snack, a 4-piece
meal or a 6-piece meal. (Company Release 2/07/07)
Taco John’s has introduced Crunchy Chicken as an ingredient to several new menu items. The chain is offering the item in
burritos, as a meal or in salads, with the highlight being The Crunchy Chicken & Potato Burrito, crispy chicken rolled into a
burrito with Potato Olés and nacho cheese. In addition, the chain is running a promotion for the Crunchy Chicken with
television and radio spots, in-store promotions and a sweepstakes called “Roll with Jeff’s Crew” where guests can upgrade
their purchase of the Crunchy Chicken & Potato Burrito EZ Combo meal to get a 32- or 42-oz. cup showing Jeff Gordon and
his race car. The cup contains a special code that participants can use online to enter to win a trip for two to attend the Ford
400 NASCAR race in Miami on November 18. The promotion runs through September 9. (Franchising.com 6/26/07)
Franchise Activity |
Taco John’s of Mason City, IA, plans to expand in the area. Taco John’s franchisee Rick Kammerer plans to purchase two
pieces of property in order to build a new location. The site is currently occupied by Amerimex Auto, however the company will
relocate to make way for the expansion. (Globegazette.com 8/1/07)
International Activities |
Taco John’s International warned its Iowa stores of a possible E. coli contamination after a Cedar Rapids, IA, unit was
suspected to be the source of illness in 33 people. The company suspects that lettuce is the culprit. The chain had stopped
using green onions a year ago. (NRN Daily NewsFax 12/11/06, 12/12/06, 12/15/06; Nation’s Restaurant News Online
12/11/06)
Personnel |
Barry Sims, CEO/President
Dave Schuh, CFO
Forest King, V.P. of Operations
Brian Dixon, V.P. of Marketing
Erik Lauland, V.P. Research & Development
Taco John’s International promoted Barry Sims to president. Previously, Sims was employed with McGladrey & Pullen. (NRN
Daily NewsFax 2/8/07)
Taco John’s International gave Barry Sims the additional role of chief executive, replacing Paul Fisherkeller. Sims will continue
to serve as president for the company. (NRN Daily NewsFax 9/27/07)
News & Other |
Taco John’s is investigating its lettuce and other produce due to an E. coli outbreak. Several Taco John’s customers in Cedar
Falls, IA, were sickened and 18 were hospitalized. (NRN Daily NewsFax 12/12/06)
Taco John’s plans to use a new produce vendor in response to an E. coli outbreak in three of its Midwest locations. The
company will switch as soon as December 13. (Company Release 12/13/06)
Taco John’s sought to reassure customers that the E. coli outbreak was an isolated incident and is now behind the company.
The company aims to make people feel confident to come back. (Company Release 12/19/06)
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