Business Description

The Taco Maker is an international Mexican fast food franchise specializing in quick, friendly service and a complete menu with fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients. Centralized purchasing, marketing, operational support and progressive store design provide for a very comprehensive and fun investment opportunity. The Taco Maker family features two additional concepts: Jake's Over the Top and Mayan Jamma Juice. Jake's offers a unique line of charbroiled burgers and its "Avalanche" shake rises two to three inches above the rim of the cup. Customers love the smooth, cool and nutritious blended fruit drinks at Mayan Jamma Juice. Together they make "A Winning Combination." Available in free-standing, mall or strip center locations and also can be incorporated into convenience stores, truck stops with co-branding opportunities.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1978

Franchising Since:  1978

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	150	96.8%
Company-Owned Units:	5	3.2%
Total Operating Units:	155	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 83 53.5% In 32 States Canada: 0 0% In 0 Canadian Provinces International: 72 46.5% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 155 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. New York	5
2. Utah	13
3. Washington	10

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$
Cash Investment:	$50-140K
Total Investment:	$75-650K
Average Total Investment:	$362K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$19-22.5K
Average Franchise Fee:	$20K
On-Going Royalty:	5-7%
Average Royalty:	6%
Advertising Fee:	3%/4%

Average Number of Employees: 2-6 Full-time, 5-20 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 200-3,000

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	4
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	5
Formal Education:	2
Psychological Profile:	4
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	15 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	15 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 15 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	Yes
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	No
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	30
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Indirect
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	Yes
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Included in Fees
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Not Applicable
Regional or National Meetings:	Not Applicable
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. UT	21 Days
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 20 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: Yes, All Countries	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Taco Maker, The.