Taco chain wants to break into KC metro with 10 restaurants. It’s eyeing these suburbs
As of now, Taco Cabana is only available in Texas and New Mexico.
But not for long.
The San Antonio-based company is looking to expand into Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. That includes the Kansas City area, said John Ramsay, director of franchise sales and development.
Taco Cabana is looking for a franchisee to bring 10 restaurants to the area, Ramsay said. The company has its sights set on the suburbs.
Ramsay specifically named Overland Park, Shawnee, Olathe and Lee’s Summit as potential markets.
“We know that there’s a lot of Texas transplants that have moved to Kansas or Missouri,” he said. “We already know there’s a lot of brand awareness.”
Without a franchisee, the estimated opening date of the first area Taco Cabana is fuzzy, but Ramsay said they’ve been in conversations with several groups. It typically takes about 18 months to open a restaurant.
Taco Cabana is known for its breakfast offerings, with its dozen breakfast taco box being its most popular item. For lunch and dinner, the chain offers fajita meals, chicken quesadillas, enchilada platters, margaritas and more.
Its cabana bowl, a burrito bowl served in a crispy taco shell bowl, is also a favorite.
Ramsay said he’s confident the chain will fit into the Midwest, adding that its offerings are similar to a “Middle of America” take on Mexican food.
Taco Cabana first opened in 1978. Today, it has 140 locations in Texas and six in Albuquerque. Each restaurant has a drive-thru, Ramsay said.
Meanwhile, Nebraska’s Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh is also making a splash in the area. The chain migrated to the area four years ago and now has nine restaurants, including the old Steak ‘n‘ Shake in Overland Park at 7510 Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Editor’s note: This story previously misstated the former occupant of one of the Abelardo’s locations.
This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 3:24 PM.