Taco John’s CEO Jim Creel to retireTaco John’s CEO Jim Creel to retire

Joanna Fantozzi

Cheyenne, Wyo.-based quick-service Mexican chain Taco John’s announced Tuesday that president and CEO Jim Creel will be retiring at the end of the year after more than two decades at the company.

Creel started his career at Taco John’s as director of technology in 2000 and moved up the ranks until 2017 when he was named president and CEO. Before that, Creel had a career in the management consulting business.

“I’m proud of the work we have done over my 24-plus years to make a name for Taco John’s and grow this brand across the country,” Creel said in a statement. “I’ve worked with many fabulous individuals to get us to this point and now is the right time to transition and let the next set of eyes provide a new vision. I believe in everything Taco John’s does and will walk away knowing that we did everything the right way.”

Under Creel’s leadership, Taco John’s grew AUVs by 22% and system sales by 17%. He also guided Taco John’s through the pandemic and the challenging macroeconomic circumstances of the past few years. Over the past three years, Taco John’s opened 37 restaurants, expanded into new markets, and opened a new test kitchen.  

“We are grateful to Jim and all the work he has done to help Taco John’s become an integral player in the quick-service restaurant industry,” Taco John’s chairman of the board Gerard Lewis said in a statement. “Jim played a vital role in bringing me here and I’m thankful I got to work alongside him because he’s one of the best in the business. It’s through his leadership that Taco John’s has grown and flourished.”

Related:Taco John’s sales and app downloads have jumped since Taco Bell picked a fight

Taco John’s has not yet announced a replacement and is currently on the lookout for a new CEO to head the growing chain.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]