Talkin' Tacos: Crafting a Bold New Flavor in Fast-Casual Mexican Dining

Talkin' Tacos is a rapidly growing fast-casual Mexican franchise that began as a food truck in 2020, founded by childhood friends Mohammad Farraj and Omar Al-Massalkhi in South Florida. Recognizing a gap in the local market for birria tacos—a trend gaining popularity in states like California and Texas—the duo introduced this flavorful dish to Florida, quickly gaining a loyal following.

The overwhelming response led to the opening of their first brick-and-mortar location in Miramar in 2021, followed by a second in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood just six months later.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Talkin' Tacos began franchising in 2022. The franchise offers a diverse menu featuring signature items like 12-hour braised beef birria tacos, birria ramen, bang bang shrimp tacos, and churros.

What sets Talkin' Tacos apart is its unique blend of traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist, all served in a vibrant, Day of the Dead-themed atmosphere. The restaurants feature glow-in-the-dark artwork, creating an immersive dining experience that resonates with a younger, social media-savvy audience.

Training

Talkin’ Tacos provides comprehensive training programs to prepare franchisees and their managers for operating the restaurant. Here is an outline of the training programs offered:

1. Initial Training for Designated Manager
   Franchisees must appoint a Designated Manager who is required to attend and satisfactorily complete Talkin’ Tacos' initial training program. This ensures that someone overseeing day-to-day operations is fully knowledgeable about the brand’s standards and operational procedures.
2. Training for Replacements or New Managers
   If a new Designated Manager is appointed, Talkin’ Tacos may require the new individual to complete the same training program. The cost of this training is borne by the franchisee.
3. Confidential Information Training
   As part of the onboarding and operations process, franchisees and key staff receive access to Talkin’ Tacos’ trade secrets and operational know-how. This information is provided during training sessions and is strictly confidential, with access restricted to employees who need it to perform their roles.

Territory Protection

Talkin’ Tacos does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While each franchise operates at a designated location, the franchisor reserves the right to establish other franchises, company-owned units, or alternative distribution methods in the same market.

This means franchisees could face competition from other outlets under the same brand nearby. The franchise agreement does not limit Talkin’ Tacos' ability to sell or assign their interest in the agreement, further underscoring the lack of territorial exclusivity.

Franchisees must focus on competitive service and brand consistency, as they are not shielded from potential overlap or brand presence within their vicinity. This approach allows the franchisor flexibility to grow the brand while maintaining control over location approvals and operations.