7 Best Taco Franchises to Open in North Carolina

Are you looking for a list of the best taco franchises to open in the state of North Carolina?

At Del Taco, we understand it can be hard to pick just one because there are so many options to choose from.

In this article, we’ll take a look at seven of the best taco franchises to open in North Carolina in no particular order.

Del Taco

We simply had to put ourselves on this list because of our freshly prepared menu, streamlined restaurant prototypes, and franchise opportunities in existing and untapped markets.

Since 1964, Del Taco has been serving freshly prepared, craveable food at an unbeatable value. This rare combination is one of the reasons we are the second largest brand in the Mexican Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) Industry.

When it comes to North Carolina, our franchise development team is primarily interested in expanding into the following markets:

• Charlotte
• Raleigh
• Greensboro
• Durham
• Winston-Salem
• Fayetteville
• Cary
• Wilmington
• High Point
• Concord
• Asheville
• Greenville
• Gastonia
• Jacksonville
• Chapel Hill
• Huntersville
• Apex
• Burlington
• Rocky Mount
• Kannapolis
• Mooresville

These cities meet most of our site requirements and should be a good fit for Del Taco based on our Real Estate Planning Software.

If you’re interested in a North Carolina market that isn’t listed above, please reach out to our team and we will take a deeper look into your preferred location.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell is one of the most well-known taco franchises in the world. In 1962, their first location was opened in Downey, California by Glen Bell.

In the United States, Taco Bell and their franchisees operate over 7,200 restaurants that serve more than 40 million customers each week.

Their brand is also growing internationally with more than 1,000 restaurants located in 30 countries across the globe.

Qdoba

Qdoba is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant franchise that was founded in 1995 as “Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill” in Denver, CO.

Today, they have grown their taco franchise to over 700 locations across 47 different states along with Canada and Puerto Rico.

Their made-to-order menu features burrito bowls, quesadillas, and tacos. Plus, catering selections when you need to feed a large crowd.

Chipotle

Chipotle is a chain of Mexican restaurants that has become popular due to their specialty menu with a focus on natural ingredients.

The first Chipotle was opened in Denver, CO in 1993. Fans of this Mexican grill love their burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads.

As of 2023, all of Chipotle’s +3,100 locations are company-owned, and they do not offer franchising opportunities at this time.

TacoTime

TacoTime has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most popular Mexican restaurant franchises in the industry.

In 1960, Ron Fraedrick set out to feed the hordes of hungry college kids in his hometown of Eugene, OR by opening the first TacoTime restaurant.

Since then, they have expanded to nearly 300 locations and are seeking savvy entrepreneurs who are interested in bringing Mexican food to their communities.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe’s Southwest Grill is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant franchise that was founded in Atlanta, GA by Raving Brands on December 9th, 2000.

The Moe’s menu is known for burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and salads. They even offer taco meal kits able to feed 4 to 6 people.

They’re looking for franchise owners interested in building a loyal following in their market while embracing their own independent spirit.

Taco Bueno

In 1967, Taco Bueno opened their first location in Abilene, TX with a mission to share fresh, authentic Mexican food with the community.

Taco Bueno has grown their brand across the USA with more than 180 stores in 7 states, and they are looking to grow.

The ideal candidate for a Taco Bueno franchise is someone with restaurant operating experience, desire to be hands-on, and strong work ethic.

Check Out These Additional Resources

We hope this list of the best taco franchises to open in North Carolina helped you narrow down your search.

At Del Taco, we serve freshly prepared, craveable food at an unbeatable value and are looking for franchisees who want to grow with our brand.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

• How Much Does a Del Taco Franchise Cost?
• What Are the Site Requirements for Del Taco?
• Which Taco Franchise Makes the Most Money?

If you have any questions, please contact our franchise sales and support team.