• Franchise Agreement Brings Five New Locations to Fargo, ND Area 
• IFA Franchisee of the Year and Taco John’s Largest Franchisee Behind the Deal
• First Two Locations Set to Open by Late December 2025 and Early 2026; Midwest Continues to Show Promising Expansion Opportunities

LOUIS PARK, MN. (September 2026)- Taco John’s®, a leading Mexican quick-service restaurant, bolsters its Midwest presence with a multi-unit signed area development agreement in North Dakota, a key development state for the brand. The agreement brings five new units to Fargo, with the first slated to open by the end of the year and the second following shortly thereafter – in early 2026.

Behind the deal is seasoned Taco John’s franchisee Brett Itterman. Recognized this year as a Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA), Itterman’s journey with Taco John’s began in 1980 when his father became a franchisee, sparking a lifelong career spanning the restaurant industry. In 2015, he joined Pentex Restaurant Group as CEO, where he has since overseen the expansion of 47 Taco John’s locations across eight states. Itterman is also in his third year as President of the Association of Taco John’s Franchisees, where he plays a key role in fostering collaboration between franchisees and the corporate team to drive unified systemwide initiatives.

“Pentex is excited to bring Taco John’s back to the Fargo-Moorhead area,” said Itterman. “This community truly captures the spirit of Taco John’s—where great food brings people together. We look forward to welcoming every Taco John’s guest into our restaurant to enjoy hot, fresh Potato Olés®, scratch-made beef tacos, and all your favorite menu items. I’m proud not only to share the bold flavors we love with more families here, but also to represent our franchisees nationwide as we carry forward the brand’s incredible legacy.”

Expanding its presence in North Dakota, Taco John’s is doubling down on its footprint in the Midwest. The IFA’s 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook revealed that franchising growth in the Midwest is forecast to outpace the national output growth rate of 4.4%, reaching an estimated $202.1 billion this year. The report also revealed that employment in the quick service restaurant industry is forecast to grow by 2.6%, surpassing 4 million employees. Thanks to a growing economy, strong per capita income and an overall business-friendly environment, North Dakota is positioned as a prime market for Taco John’s expansion plans.

“Bringing Taco John’s back to Fargo marks another milestone on our growth journey,” said Shannon Iverson, VP/Development at Taco John’s. “Fargo’s community-centric spirit is what drove our site selection process, and we are excited to integrate into the city. As we continue to strategically grow, we are eager to partner with likeminded franchisees, like Brett, who represent the spirit Taco John’s was built on.”

As Taco John’s continues expanding through single and multi-unit development, recent advancements like the Path to Ownership structure and the brand’s optimized business model offer a robust framework for franchisee support and sustainable growth. Enhanced systems across onboarding, real estate and construction, operations, training, branding, and technology make Taco John’s a compelling investment for entrepreneurs seeking to diversify their portfolios with a proven business concept. Existing franchisees are also benefiting from these innovations, driving unit-level profitability and expanding market presence to reach more customers every day.

With nearly 350 locations across 22 states and the brand’s broader strategy of sustainable, market-responsive franchising, the development team has identified strong opportunities in the Upper Midwest, Rocky Mountain regions, and high-growth suburban markets nationwide. Franchise opportunities are available for both new and multi-unit operators, with tailored support to help franchisees scale effectively. Taco John’s is reducing complexity and aiming to enhance profitability potential for operators at every stage.

Prospective franchisees are taking note of the business opportunity, as the Taco John’s Franchise Disclosure Document reports an AUV of $1,844,833* for the top 25% of freestanding restaurants with drive-thru.

For more information about Taco John’s franchise opportunities, please visit https://tacojohnsfranchise.com/ or contact Shannon Iverson at siverson@tacojohns.com.

About Taco John’s^®

Founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Taco John’s® has been delivering bigger. bolder. better. flavors for over 55 years. Today, Taco John’s operates and franchises nearly 350 restaurants across 22 states, solidifying its place as one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in the U.S. Famous for coining Taco Tuesday in 1989, Taco John’s offers everyday value with its popular menu. Signature items like Potato Olés® showcase the bold, original flavors that help fans Olé The Day. With generous portions and made-to-order dishes crafted from fresh, high-quality ingredients, Taco John’s sets the standard for crave-worthy Mexican fare. Taco John’s continues to be a standout in the industry, highlighted by recent accolades including ranking No. 147 spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2025 “Franchise 500” ranking and the No. 158 on Franchise Times 2024, “Franchise 400” ranking. For more information, visit TacoJohns.com and follow Taco John’s on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

*Based on the Average Sales Volume of the top 25% of U.S. freestanding restaurants with drive-thru. This information appears in Item 19 of Taco John’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”).

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