A RIVAL to Taco Bell with over 400 locations has opened its first ever spot in an iconic US city - with a major East coast expansion being planned.
The chain doesn't plan to stop there, planning over a dozen spots to open, as its lofty plans promise to shake up the taco space.
Taco John's is a leading quick-service Mexican restaurant is planning 19 new locations across Boston, per PR Newswire.
Included in this is Taco John's introduction to the city, offering citizens a new option for their fast food feasts.
The 77 Summer Street spot is led by multi-brand operators Reliance Hospitality Group, with a leadership team sharing decades of experience between them.
Reliance Hospitality Group is spearheaded by CEO and Co-founder Arsal Jaffery and Co-founder Deven Jadav.
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Jaffery has nearly a decade of experience in the quick-service industry, and has operated Wendy's franchises in the Springfield and Hartford, Massachusetts, as well as in New York.
Jadav has 22 years of experience owning, operating, and constructing hotels with Wyndham, IHG, and Choice Hotels across the Southeast and Texas.
Jaffrey said of the Boston opening: "We're thrilled to bring Taco John's to the heart of Boston and introduce even more guests to our signature bold flavors and quality ingredients.
"When we first experienced Taco John's, we knew it was special – the brand's dedication to bold, innovative flavors and fresh ingredients stood out in the quick-service space.
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"The enthusiasm and loyalty of Taco John's fans across the country spoke volumes, and we saw a clear opportunity to bring that same energy to Boston.
"Boston is an incredible, dynamic city with a rich food culture and a strong sense of community.
"We're committed to establishing Taco John's as a go-to dining destination for locals and visitors alike."
BRINGING LEGACY TO THE CITY
The city Taco John's has chosen is ripe for economic growth.
Economic reports project the region to generate $150.8 billion in output in 2025.
Shannon Iverson, VP/Development at Taco John's, added: "Deven and Arsal's dedication and expertise have been instrumental in introducing Taco John's to the East Coast.
"Their strategic approach and passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences align perfectly with our brand's growth vision.
"As Taco John's expands our 50-plus-year legacy into more metropolitan spaces, their deep understanding of the restaurant industry and the local markets will continue to be essential."
Restaurant closures in 2024

BOSSES at major dining chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of the chain's affected.
- Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California, have closed.
- Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically shuttered 27 shops in April, including some in the state of California.
- Frisch's Big Boy: Restaurant chiefs confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky in April.
- Outback Steakhouse: The chain will shutter 41 'underperforming' locations this year.
- Two Bucks: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April.
- Chili's: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has shut permanently as well as one in Irvine, California, and one in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
- Friendly's: Bosses confirmed an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island will close.
- Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed at the end of March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana. This was followed in July by a bankruptcy filing from its parent company which announced the closure of 150 locations.
- Carl's Jr.: The first Boise, Idaho location has closed.
- In-N-Out: An Oakland location closed earlier in the year due to crime in the area.
- Cheesecake Factory: The chain is set to shutter a location in Memphis, Tennessee in July.
- Applebee's: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year.
- Red Lobster: The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and shuttered over 100 locations.
- Taco John's: Shuttered a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May.
- Frisco's Chicken: The poultry restaurant shuttered all of its locations over the summer
- Rubio's Coastal Grill: Has announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy.
- Burger King: Shuttered a location in California in June after 30 years.
- Foster's Freeze: Shuttered a location in California after five decades in business due to financial struggles.
- Chicken Salad Chick: After nine years the restaurant shuttered one location in Jacksonville, Florida, with no reason given.
- México Lindo: The New York City-based restaurant announced its final day after 52 years and finally shuttered its doors for good on July 31.
- American Dream Pizza: Closed all of its locations in Oregon in July.
- Tender Greens: The Southern California-based chain filed for bankruptcy.
- Lefty's Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, & Grill: Abruptly shuttered 18 locations in July due to a family feud.
- Firehouse Subs: Shuttered a location in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State over the summer citing "unforeseen circumstances"
- Taco Time: The Taco Bell rival shuttered a location in Seattle after 50 years following a death in the franchise owner's family.
- Burgerim: Shuttered a location in Burlington, Massachusetts in July, reigniting bankruptcy fears from 2020.
- Denny's: The chain has shuttered over 40 locations so far this year with the owner of the one outlet blaming vandalism.
- Starbucks: The chain shuttered one of its most iconic locations in New York City after almost three decades with fans blaming crime. It also lost a location in Seattle.
- Subway: In August, the sandwich chain shuttered over 20 locations across the US and Canada after a franchisee lost money after being a victim of fraud.
- IHOP: A restaurant in New Hampshire shut its doors after 24 years, leaving four locations in the state.
- Switchback Coffee Roasters: The popular chain filed for bankruptcy in August after over a decade in business.
- Jimmy John's: The sandwich shop chain shuttered a location in Nevada on August 19 after 12 years citing overexpansion issues.
- KFC: Closed the remaining three locations in Rockford, Illinois all on the same day on August 19. In total, it closed six locations across four cities in Illinois.
- Rusty Bucket: The chicken shop chain confirmed it would officially leave Florida as it announced a handful of closures including in Sarasota and Ohio.
- Buca di Beppo: The Olive Garden rival abruptly shuttered 44 locations across five states before filing for bankruptcy.
- Red Robin: Announced the closure of its Ashburn, Virginia location on August 25 after 15 years in business.
- Noodles & Company: Shuttered dozens of locations due to their contribution to around $2 million worth of losses.
- Shoney's: The classic American-style food chain founded in 1947 officially exited Ohio after three decades of business as it reduced its operational footprint.
- Homegrown: The sandwich chain based in Seattle announced the closure of 10 locations leaving 150 employees in the lurch.
- World of Beer: Filed for bankruptcy after closing 14 outlets.
- Arby's: The chain announced a number of closures this year including in Lexington, Kentucky, Akron, Ohio,
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Shuttered a location in New Jersey in July, leaving just two in the state, followed by the closure of a Baltimore location in August.
- Hart House: Shutterd all four locations in California in September just two years after the vegan fast-food restaurant chain was launched by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.
The team behind the chain has identified strong opportunities in the Upper Midwest, Rocky Mountain regions, suggesting it could be heading there soon.
It is not known where the other Taco John's will be set up.
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However, Taco John's is currently developing its fourth location in the city, expected to be open in the third quarter of 2025.
The team is also looking for locations for its next five chains in the metro Boston area.