Taco Tico was founded in 1962 by Dan Foley in Witchita, Kansas. The company operates a chain of fast food style Mexican restaurants with the emphasis on tacos. The original meat recipe was a huge hit and the company expanded rapidly in the 70’s and 80’s.
Foley sold the restaurant chain to a former KFC executive who stopped using the original taco meat recipe and substituted a cheaper, frozen ground meat. The new flavor was unpopular and business began to wane. In 2013, 10 locations were closed by Kansas state due to unpaid taxes. The company later filed for bankruptcy.
A new owner has since reopened several locations. Today, the company has 36 locations in 6 states, including Kansas, with plans to open at least 4 more locations in 2016. The company has returned to the original meat recipe and has discarded plans to allow further franchising.
The chain has opened several new locations in the past two years, including an 8th location in Witchita, Kansas, and a second restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky in February 2019.
Taco Tico maintains a corporate office in Lexington, Kentucky.
Taco Tico was founded in 1962 by Dan Foley in Witchita, Kansas. The company operates a chain of fast food style Mexican restaurants with the emphasis on tacos. The original meat recipe was a huge hit and the company expanded rapidly in the 70’s and 80’s.
History
Foley sold the restaurant chain to a former KFC executive who stopped using the original taco meat recipe and substituted a cheaper, frozen ground meat. The new flavor was unpopular and business began to wane. In 2013, 10 locations were closed by Kansas state due to unpaid taxes. The company later filed for bankruptcy.
A new owner has since reopened several locations. Today, the company has 36 locations in 6 states, including Kansas, with plans to open at least 4 more locations in 2016. The company has returned to the original meat recipe and has discarded plans to allow further franchising.
The chain has opened several new locations in the past two years, including an 8th location in Witchita, Kansas, and a second restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky in February 2019.
Taco Tico maintains a corporate office in Lexington, Kentucky.