\
TACO John’s, a fast food chain known for its Mexican-inspired menu and rivalry with Taco Bell, has shut down all five of its Michigan locations.
This sudden closure comes just over a year after the company launched an ambitious expansion into the state.
1
The shuttering of these restaurants, located in Wyoming, Hudsonville, Caledonia, Monroe, and Cadillac, was confirmed by a spokesperson from Taco John’s, per WZZM 13.
The closures have been swift, with any reference to their Michigan locations already removed from the chain’s website.
Taco John’s had originally set its sights on Michigan as part of a broader push into the Midwest.
Because of this, it opened three of its five locations in West Michigan in February 2023.
SPEEDY STOP
The rapid exit, however, suggests challenges in gaining a foothold in the region’s competitive fast food market.
Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates restaurants in 16 states and manages other well-known brands like Wendy’s, Morning Belle, and Stan’s Tacos, had been handling the Michigan Taco John’s locations.
Despite this setback, company officials have hinted that Taco John’s might not be gone for good in the state.
In a statement, the spokesperson expressed appreciation for the employees and community support.
They also revealed that the closures were part of a strategic shift.
“We have made the difficult decision to close our Taco John’s restaurants.
“We appreciate our employees’ commitment and hard work as well as the community’s patronage as we have endeavored to make this concept a success.
“In regard to future plans, we intend to reopen as a different concept and look forward to once again serving the community in days to come.”
POSSIBLE RETURN
This suggests that while Taco John’s as Michiganders knew it is no longer operating, the company intends to make a return with a fresh twist, per the outlet.
Whether this will involve a new brand, updated menu, or reimagined dining experience remains to be seen.
Restaurant closures in 2024
BOSSES at major dining chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of the chain’s affected.
- Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California, have closed.
- Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically shuttered 27 shops in April, including some in the state of California.
- Frisch’s Big Boy: Restaurant chiefs confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky in April.
- Outback Steakhouse: The chain will shutter 41 ‘underperforming’ locations this year.
- Two Bucks: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April.
- Chili’s: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has shut permanently as well as one in Irvine, California, and one in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
- Friendly’s: Bosses confirmed an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island will close.
- Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed at the end of March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana. This was followed in July by a bankruptcy filing from its parent company which announced the closure of 150 locations.
- Carl’s Jr.: The first Boise, Idaho location has closed.
- In-N-Out: An Oakland location closed earlier in the year due to crime in the area.
- Cheesecake Factory: The chain is set to shutter a location in Memphis, Tennessee in July.
- Applebee’s: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year.
- Red Lobster: The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and shuttered over 100 locations.
- Taco John’s: Shuttered a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May.
- Frisco’s Chicken: The poultry restaurant shuttered all of its locations over the summer
- Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Has announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy.
- Burger King: Shuttered a location in California in June after 30 years.
- Foster’s Freeze: Shuttered a location in California after five decades in business due to financial struggles.
- Chicken Salad Chick: After nine years the restaurant shuttered one location in Jacksonville, Florida, with no reason given.
- México Lindo: The New York City-based restaurant announced its final day after 52 years and finally shuttered its doors for good on July 31.
- American Dream Pizza: Closed all of its locations in Oregon in July.
- Tender Greens: The Southern California-based chain filed for bankruptcy.
- Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, & Grill: Abruptly shuttered 18 locations in July due to a family feud.
- Firehouse Subs: Shuttered a location in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State over the summer citing “unforeseen circumstances”
- Taco Time: The Taco Bell rival shuttered a location in Seattle after 50 years following a death in the franchise owner’s family.
- Burgerim: Shuttered a location in Burlington, Massachusetts in July, reigniting bankruptcy fears from 2020.
- Denny’s: The chain has shuttered over 40 locations so far this year with the owner of the one outlet blaming vandalism.
- Starbucks: The chain shuttered one of its most iconic locations in New York City after almost three decades with fans blaming crime. It also lost a location in Seattle.
- Subway: In August, the sandwich chain shuttered over 20 locations across the US and Canada after a franchisee lost money after being a victim of fraud.
- IHOP: A restaurant in New Hampshire shut its doors after 24 years, leaving four locations in the state.
- Switchback Coffee Roasters: The popular chain filed for bankruptcy in August after over a decade in business.
- Jimmy John’s: The sandwich shop chain shuttered a location in Nevada on August 19 after 12 years citing overexpansion issues.
- KFC: Closed the remaining three locations in Rockford, Illinois all on the same day on August 19. In total, it closed six locations across four cities in Illinois.
- Rusty Bucket: The chicken shop chain confirmed it would officially leave Florida as it announced a handful of closures including in Sarasota and Ohio.
- Buca di Beppo: The Olive Garden rival abruptly shuttered 44 locations across five states before filing for bankruptcy.
- Red Robin: Announced the closure of its Ashburn, Virginia location on August 25 after 15 years in business.
- Noodles & Company: Shuttered dozens of locations due to their contribution to around $2 million worth of losses.
- Shoney’s: The classic American-style food chain founded in 1947 officially exited Ohio after three decades of business as it reduced its operational footprint.
- Homegrown: The sandwich chain based in Seattle announced the closure of 10 locations leaving 150 employees in the lurch.
- World of Beer: Filed for bankruptcy after closing 14 outlets.
- Arby’s: The chain announced a number of closures this year including in Lexington, Kentucky, Akron, Ohio,
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Shuttered a location in New Jersey in July, leaving just two in the state, followed by the closure of a Baltimore location in August.
- Hart House: Shutterd all four locations in California in September just two years after the vegan fast-food restaurant chain was launched by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.
Taco John’s, originally founded in Wyoming, boasts more than 350 locations across 22 states.
This includes Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
It has garnered a loyal following over the years with its bold flavors and unique offerings, even laying claim to coining the term “Taco Tuesday.”
The U.S. Sun offers extensive restaurant news coverage.
A MOD Pizza rival has shut down in one major city.
Plus, Kevin Hart’s vegan fast food chain has closed two years after opening.
