1851

<a href="https://www.fuzzystacoshop.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fuzzys-taco-shop-to-dish-on-chicagoland-expansion-plans-at-franchise-expo-chicago-2710885" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop</a> was founded in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas, with the intention of creating a &ldquo;taco heaven&rdquo; that offered frosty drinks and fostered a never-want-to-leave attitude among its guests.

That mission worked all too well.&nbsp;

One major thing that sets <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fuzzystacoshop" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop</a> apart from the competition is that franchisees are often drawn straight from the brand&rsquo;s consumer base.&nbsp;

&ldquo;A good majority of our franchisees today came to us via their dining experiences, and that&rsquo;s significant,&rdquo; Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop Chief Development Officer Michael Mabry said. &ldquo;That means when people are dining at our restaurants they can envision themselves being part of the brand.&rdquo;

Today, Fuzzy&rsquo;s has nearly 150 locations across the United States, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fuzzystacoshop/baja-inspired-fuzzy-s-taco-shop-is-expanding-in-dallas-ft-worth-and-beyond-2710267" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">with several more on the way</a>, and is looking to break ground in an especially desirable market: Chicago.&nbsp;

To that end, Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop team members will represent the brand at <a href="https://www.franchiseexpochicago.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fuzzys-taco-shop-to-dish-on-chicagoland-expansion-plans-at-franchise-expo-chicago-2710885" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Franchise Expo Chicago</a> on September 13 and 14. The expo will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, just outside of the Windy City.&nbsp;

The decision to expand within the Chicagoland area, where the brand does not currently have any locations, came after extensive research.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We work closely with our real estate partner, CBRE, and as we looked across the U.S. to determine the most viable markets for the brand, Chicago was leading the pack with the most valuable locations across America.,&rdquo; Mabry said. &ldquo;Understanding that, we took a deeper dive and really started to look at the population, where they reside, how they dine and so forth. Chicago jumped off the page as a perfect place for us to develop.&rdquo;

Prospective franchisees will have the chance to meet with brand executives and learn more about Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop and the support it provides its franchise system.&nbsp;

The brand aims to open more than 40 restaurants in the Chicagoland area. Since a typical Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop restaurant employs between 25 to 40 people, such an expansion could mean a significant job boost for the region.&nbsp;

Mabry is excited to attend Franchise Expo Chicago alongside Franchise Sales Manager Andie Smirl.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We just want people and potential franchisees to know that we are excited about the market and we&rsquo;re ready to grow there,&rdquo; Mabry said.&nbsp;

The brand will determine where exactly in the Chicagoland area they will expand after meeting with prospective franchisees.&nbsp;

&ldquo;To get specific, we really need to identify the interest level and see where potential franchisees are currently doing business,&rdquo; Mabry said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mabry anticipates the Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop brand will be well-received in the Chicago market thanks to its product offering and atmosphere, both of which also make it a desirable place to work.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Our restaurants have a great vibe and are fun places to work,&rdquo; Mabry said. &ldquo;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fuzzystacoshop/fuzzy-s-taco-shop-isn-t-a-cult-but-its-food-is-so-good-it-honestly-could-be-2710554" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">We offer full bars and excellent food</a>, including a breakfast menu and options that can satisfy no matter the time of day. We even cater, which provides competitive revenue streams for our franchisees. There are so many aspects of the brand that make it a great opportunity, which is why we feel we&rsquo;ll do extremely well in the Chicago market.&rdquo;&nbsp;

And let&rsquo;s not forget the tacos.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Who doesn&rsquo;t love tacos?&rdquo; Mabry said.&nbsp;

The ideal Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop franchisee is passionate about the brand and passionate about people.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Whether they have restaurant experience or not, they have to have those two things,&rdquo; Mabry said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re looking for people who understand our laid-back vibe and want to reinforce that environment. Our team members are our most important asset.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The brand also wants franchisees who are willing to dedicate time to the business.

&ldquo;We want franchisees who are going to be hands-on in the business,&rdquo; Mabry said. &ldquo;If they want to have a day-to-day operator that&rsquo;s fine, but they need to be hands-on.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop franchisees benefit from a wide array of support processes.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Franchisees have a full complement of support from the franchise development team, including real estate, construction, training and more,&rdquo; Mabry said. &ldquo;During the entire tenure of the partnership or relationship with us, the franchisee will know exactly who the go-to person is.&rdquo;&nbsp;

To learn more about franchising with Fuzzy&rsquo;s Taco Shop, visit <a href="http://www.myfuzzys.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fuzzys-taco-shop-to-dish-on-chicagoland-expansion-plans-at-franchise-expo-chicago-2710885" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">www.myfuzzys.com</a>.&nbsp;

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop To Dish on Chicagoland Expansion Plans at Franchise Expo Chicago 

1851 Franchise

Franchise Expo Chicago will take place on September 13 and 14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

fuzzys-taco-shop-to-dish-on-chicagoland-expansion-plans-at-franchise-expo-chicago

Dog Training Elite

Photo of service dog wearing red "DO NOT PET" vest, on a blue leash, looking up at handler

Dog Training Elite Northeast Houston Celebrates Transformative Role of Service Dogs in the Lives of People With PTSD

service-dogs-ptsd-awareness-month-dog-training-elite

Children's Lighthouse

Hospitality to Quality Child Care: Why Alexis Legg is Expanding Her Children's Lighthouse Footprint

hospitality-to-quality-child-care-why-alexis-legg-is-expanding-her-childrens-lighthouse-footprint

Pet Wants

Smart Business, Low Overhead: How Pet Wants Helps Franchisees Build Efficient and Profitable Operations

smart-business-low-overhead-how-pet-wants-helps-franchisees-build-efficient-and-profitable-operations

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Why These Franchisees Chose To Grow With Pigtails & Crewcuts — and How the Brand Helped Them Do It

why-these-franchisees-chose-to-grow-with-pigtails-crewcuts-and-how-the-brand-helped-them-do-it

Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat West Greensboro - Fresh Coat Cares - Red Cross

Fresh Coat Cares Partners With the Red Cross to Refresh Community Conference Space

fresh-coat-cares-partners-with-the-red-cross-to-refresh-community-conference-space

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-deep-dive

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

KFC Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

kfc-franchise-deep-dive

Unlock Children's Potential: KLA Schools' Franchise Model Centers on Curiosity-Driven Learning

kla-schools-franchise-child-led-learning

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises: How To Budget Properly

how-franchises-can-budget-their-finances-properly

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises — How To Build Webinars

how-franchisors-can-build-effective-webinars-to-reach-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop To Dish on Chicagoland Expansion Plans at Franchise Expo Chicago

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS