KISSIMMEE, FL – The Taco Maker, a leader in the Mexican quick service restaurant (QSR) segment has opened two new stores in the Kissimmee area as part of its expansion plans for Florida. There will be a special ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening at 10:30am on February 15 at 1635 North Young John Parkway in Kissimmee. With featured guests such as the vice-mayor of Orlando, the commissioner of Osceola County, mayor of Kissimmee and the president of The Taco Maker.
“These franchise expansions are an integral part of our strategy for bringing the taste of great Mexican food to millions of new customers,” said Carlos Budet, President and CEO of The Taco Maker. “The continued growth and expansion of Taco Maker in the Caribbean Basin and Florida region shows our commitment to making it the premier brand in the quick service industry.”
Motivator Investment Partners (MIP), a company formed by entrepreneurs Manuel Viota and Ramon Martinez, signed a development agreement with The Taco Maker, Inc. to open a minimum of 150 franchises in Florida. These stores are projected to create 2,700 immediate jobs and up to 4,000 jobs indirectly. MIP has already signed agreements for 110 stores in the state of Florida and project to open at least 25 in 2008. The first two stores opened in Kissimmee at 1635 North John Young Parkway and at 4384 West Vine Street. Motivator Investment Partners will open its offices in Central Florida to provide operations support to its stores all over the state.
“Since 2006, we’ve seen a remarkable growth in our operations and revenue,” stated Budet. “We’ve implemented strong marketing strategies and positioned ourselves as the fastest growing Mexican fast food restaurant in the industry. Customers are driven to our brand because of our great food and unique Mexican quick service restaurant atmosphere.”
Taco Maker is one of three concepts under the The Taco Maker, Inc. (TTM) umbrella, an international franchise system with over 185 units open in the United States, Latin America, and the Far East. The Taco Maker restaurant is currently the largest Mexican quick service restaurant in Puerto Rico and serves popular quick service Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, salads and desserts.
TTM’s other two brands include Jake’s Over The Top and Mayan Juice. Jake’s Over The Top is a quick service restaurant set in a fun, unique 50’s atmosphere offering a line of hamburgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, onion rings, and ice cream treats. Mayan Juice is a quick service concept offering real fruit smoothies and health boosters.
Taco Maker offers various outlet types to meet almost every need of franchisees and area developers. The Taco Maker’s locations can vary from traditional free-standing restaurants and mall food courts to its fast growing programs for non-traditional locations which complement the dual branding concept with franchises such as Jake’s Over the Top and Mayan Juice. With new outlet development, unit sales have continued to grow rapidly positioning The Taco Maker as a leader in the Mexican QSR segment. 2008 marks the brand’s 30th anniversary from its beginnings and headquarters in Ogden, Utah.