Taco Bueno moves into LouisianaTaco Bueno moves into Louisiana

DALLAS Taco Bueno Restaurants said it granted franchise development rights to three groups for 16 units in Louisiana, a new market for the chain.

Dan Perry and Green, Herrington & Howell, Inc., an Arkansas development corporation, plan to open nine restaurants in the Louisiana markets of Monroe and Baton Rouge. The company also operates Huddle House and Sonic restaurants.

Comida Bueno will develop Taco Buenos in the Shreveport, La., market, adding to an existing agreement signed in 2006. The East Texas company, led by Terry Davis, owns and continues to develop Taco Bueno restaurants in the Tyler, Texas, market. Davis also operates Burger King and Fazoli's restaurants and Exxon gas stations.

Antoon Enterprises will develop units in the Alexandria, La., market, with the first expected to open in early 2008. Thomas Antoon is the operating partner for the company, which also owns and operates Popeye's and Outlaw Barbeque restaurants.

Taco Bueno, based here, franchises or operates 170 Mexican restaurants in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.