Franchising is an easy way to get into the world of business and make profits from day one, thanks to the high brand awareness.
Because you are buying an already established brand and company, you already have a customer base. All the rest is about how you manage the branch and how good things go.
Torchy’s Tacos is one of the brands that have high brand awareness and a lot of customers.
If you are looking to enter the franchise world, you probably have thought about whether you should own a Torchy’s Tacos franchise or not.
We will take a look at whether Torchy’s Tacos is franchising or not and other details surrounding the brand.
About Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos is a food business specializing in tacos and their own homemade salsa and chips, which helped to get its fame.
They originally started as a food truck but evolved into stores over time as they grew in popularity.
Torchy’s Tacos now currently has over 80 stores across several states, and they keep on expanding.
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Torchy’s Tacos History
Torchy’s Tacos was founded in 2006 as just a Taco truck in Austin, Texas.
The owner, Michael Rypka, made a name for his Taco truck by offering homemade salsa and chips for free next to every order.
This made the establishment quite popular because the customers also loved the tacos and enjoyed them.
Later, Torchy’s Tacos expanded its reach and opened up tens of stores quickly in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
They also still have food trucks along with their stores, and they keep expanding to various areas.
Their slogan, “Damn Good,” comes from the first expressions of the customers after trying their tacos.
Franchise Model Table
| Franchise | NO |
| Franchise-Fee | NO (Doesn’t Franchise) |
| Estimated Outlets | 83 |
How Much Does It Cost To Open A Torchy’s Tacos Franchise?
Because Torchy’s Tacos is not a franchise, there are no costs associated with opening a franchise.
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Why Doesn’t Torchy’s Tacos Offer Franchising?
The chief marketing officer of Torchy’s Tacos has said in an interview with QSR Magazine that the company will be 100% company-owned in the future.
He mentioned that the reason behind this is that it is not a feasible structure for the company.
That is in terms of the supply chain, operations, and many other things, to ensure that the company stays the same in every location.
So the main idea behind why they are not franchising is not to lower the quality.
Torchy’s Tacos believe that there will be bad experiences in franchises, and they want to avoid that to keep the recipes as they are.
Torchy’s Tacos Revenue
Torchy’s Tacos have an estimated annual revenue of $300M, according to the last reports shared by the company.
This amount boils down to $305,810 per employee per year. Their profit numbers are not disclosed to the public, so it’s not certain how much of this revenue is actually profit for the company.
What Are Some Alternatives To Torchy’s Tacos Franchise?
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich
Jimmy John’s is a sandwich-specialized food store selling sandwiches made with only natural meats and vegetables, prepared daily.
They were founded in 1983 and now have over 2,700 outlets across tens of different states.
If you are interested in a franchise similar to Torchy’s Tacos, they have an attractive offer.
They require a franchise fee of $30,000-$35,000 and an initial investment of $316,100 and $558,600, depending on your location and size.
The initial investment cover all the associated start-up expenses, from the property lease to the training.
They offer quickly made handmade sandwiches that they prepare daily for their customers.
Wayback Burgers
First opened in 1991, Wayback Burgers have been in operation ever since. They offer their customers amazing burgers with their chips and a hand-dipped milkshake.
They focus on giving their customers a short wait time in return for great handmade burgers.
For a typical Wayback Burgers shop, you can expect to spend anywhere between $500,000-$600,000.
Before you make this initial investment, you must pay a franchise fee of $35,000 to get things started for your franchise branch.
In addition, you are obligated to pay 5% of gross sales as part of the royalty fee to the brand every month.
Wayback Burgers currently have stores both in and outside of the United States.
This means that anyone who wants it could apply to be a Wayback franchisee, no matter your state or country.
Interested In Torchy Tacos Franchise?
Torchy’s Tacos Alternatives
| Company | Franchise Fee | Royalty Fee | Initial Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charley’s Philly Steaks | $24,500 | 6% | $251,637-$1.02 million |
| Hungry Howie’s Pizza | $25,000 | 5.5% | $349,000-$527,200 |
| Torchy’s Tacos Franchise | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Conclusion
Even though Torchy’s Tacos is a popular food chain store specializing in tacos and their handmade salsa and chips, not everyone can operate their branch.
They currently do not offer the franchise and stay 100% company owned. It seems like it will stay like that for the foreseeable future to keep the brand’s recipes as quality as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total number of Torchy's Tacos?
Torchy’s now has 83 locations throughout seven states. It includes 12 new locations scheduled to launch in 2020.
Is Torchy's Tacos a Texas-only establishment?
The franchise has more than 55 sites throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. More than a decade ago, Michael Rypka launched Torchy’s Tacos as a single food trailer.
What does it mean to be trashy at Torchy's Tacos?
“Trashy” is a code word for ordering tacos in a secret fashion, similar to ordering In-N-Out “animal style.”
When you order “trashy” at Torchy’s Tacos, your taco will be smothered in melted queso.
Does Torchy's Tacos offer franchise oppurtunity?
Currently, Torchy’s Tacos doesn’t offer franchise opportunities, and also they have no plans to do so in the future.
How much does a Torchy's Tacos franchise cost?
Since Torchy’s Tacos is a privately held company, therefore no information is available related to the franchise costs of Torchy’s Tacos.
Is Torchy's Tacos only based in the United States?
For now, Torchy’s Tacos only operates in the United States and in limited states. Their headquarters is in Texas, but they also have outlets in Colorado and Oklahoma.
Are there alternatives to Torchy's Tacos?
Yes, there are many food chain stores that are franchised in the United States. You can apply to be a franchisee for one of these brands.
Will Torchy's Tacos offer franchising in the future?
For now, the company’s chief marketing officer said that there are no plans like this. This could change in the future, but we don’t know when or if.
Amit Gupta is an experienced expert in digital marketing and co-founder of DrFranchises. With more than 11 years of knowledge in franchise digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing, Amit has helped many brands achieve incredible success online. As a passionate entrepreneur and owner of 7 franchises, he continues to study franchise models, looking at costs, revenue, and profitability to guide brands toward profitable growth. When he’s not working on digital marketing, Amit enjoys spending time playing with his beloved dog.