Taco John's names Jeff Linville CEOTaco John's names Jeff Linville CEO

Former Arby’s executive Jeff Linville has been named chief executive of Taco John’s International, which operates and franchises the “West-Mex” quick-service chain Taco John’s.

Linville, who was previously senior vice president for Arby’s Restaurant Group, replaces former chief executive Barry Sims, who retired from Cheyenne, Wyo.-based Taco John’s at the end of 2012.

Starting out on his first day Tuesday by working the breakfast shift at a Taco John’s, Linville said he plans to develop a strategic plan for the chain that addresses three areas: unit growth, same-store sales growth and enhancing margins to increase both company and franchisee profits.

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“Most restaurants want to take the easy route — start cutting food, cutting labor — but that’s not the way to long-term profit enhancement,” he said. “There are a lot of ways to get there while increasing the value of your business. It’s harder, but it certainly is more sustainable long term.”

Linville said Taco John’s has room for national growth, and that the chain’s emphasis on freshness of food is “a best-kept secret.”

“I think this brand just needs to get the word out,” he said. “As I learned more about Taco John’s, it started to hit me. Why don’t we have 1,000 restaurants? Two thousand? Three thousand? There is a huge growth opportunity with Taco John’s.”

The Taco John’s chain includes more than 400 company-operated and franchised locations in 25 states.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
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