Fast casual Baja-style Mexican restaurant franchise Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has four recent multi-unit development agreements in place that will see the Fort Worth, Texas-based chain enter the Florida market later this Summer. The agreements call for opening more than 20 new Fuzzy's Taco Shops in the Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers areas over the next six years. The first Florida unit will be in Manatee County at 2515 University Pkwy at 31st Ct. East in Sarasota. It is expected to be open by July of this year. New franchisee David Hunt, a former director of operations for the Applebee’s chain, is planning to open four or more locations in the Sarasota/Manatee Counties over the next couple of years. Brothers Ian and Adam Lieberman, and Adam's wife J-Ray, make up a family-run team that will open at least five Fuzzy's Taco Shops in the Tampa Bay area over the next six years. Their first location is expected to open before the end of 2015. In addition, Austin, Texas, natives Catherine and Christopher Franklin have been awarded a Fuzzy's Taco Shop multi-unit franchise for a minimum of five restaurants in the Orlando area over the next five years. With the goal of opening their first location by this September, they are actively seeking locations that allow a liquor license and 3500 square feet plus room for patio. Entrepreneur and independent restaurant owner John Browder and wife Kathy have also signed a franchise agreement to operate in the Fort Myers area including Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gordo. They expect to open two locations in the area before the end of this year, with three or more to open over the next couple of years. Founded in 2001 near the TCU campus in Fort Worth, the original Fuzzy’s Taco Shop was purchased by Alan and Chuck Bush two years later. The chain now includes 79 restaurants in nine states featuring the uniquely flavorful Baja-style Mexican fare including its signature Baja taco along with a wide array of handmade enchiladas, salads, nachos, burritos and its signature white queso and chips. Fuzzy’s Taco Shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and most locations offer a large selection of beer, wine, margaritas and other specialty cocktails. Fuzzy’s Taco Shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and include a children’s menu and a catering service.
CATEGORY: Quick casual
Chain Name: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Company Name: Fuzzy’s Taco Opportunities LLC
Street Address: 200 Bailey Ave., Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Tel: 817/624-8226 Fax:
Email: [email protected] Website: www.fuzzystacoshop.com
Menu Specialty: Signature taco with feta cheese and garlic sauce, fish tacos, nachos, quesadillas, grilled sandwiches, salads and breakfast dishes as well as margaritas, beer, etc.
Introduced: Father and son, Alan and Chuck Bush purchased the original Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on Berry St. in Fort Worth, Texas in 2003.
No. of Locations: Over 75 in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida.
Areas of Operation: National
Types of Location: Character buildings in urban areas, freestanding, end caps in open centers, etc.
BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv): Corporate & Franchises
Size Req’d: 3000 to 4000 sq. ft.
Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc): Patio area, beer and wine license or full bar.
Contact Name: Alan Bush – Principal
Chuck Bush – President, Principal
Paul Rickels – Sen. Vice President, Franchising ([email protected])
Richard Phillips – Vice President, Franchise Development
Ken Murray – Dir. Finance
Brandon Phillips – Director, Operations
Linda Veatch – Dir. Marketing
REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:
FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:
PARENT COMPANY: Fuzzy’s Taco Opportunities LLC, Fort Worth, Texas
Related Chains:
Last Report: Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #136 Last Update:
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