In addition to the new stores expected to open over the next four years, the franchise agreement could nearly double the number of Taco Del Mars to 600 by 2014. The chain now operates 22 restaurants in British Columbia.
The existing franchises in Canada are operated by TDM Pacific Holdings Inc., which is headed by partnering Darryl Chandra, Jas Shergill and Michael Anthony. The three are also the founders of TDM Federal Holdings Inc., which will expand eastward in Canada.
David Huether, president of Taco Del Mar, says that the focus of the franchise group in 2006 will be to launch the chain in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Chandra says TDM has been laying the groundwork for the expansion by lining up Canadian vendors.
Taco Del Mar opened in June 1992 on Pier 57 in Seattle's historic waterfront district. Founded by brothers James and John Schmidt, the chain has stores through out the Western US, the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and Canada.
The company, which has nearly 180 units either in operation or close to opening, doubled the number of stores it operates in 2005 and says it is poised to do so again in 2006. By December of 2006, the company predicts, it will rank among the top 30 of all fast casual restaurants in terms of number of units.
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