Poole has Extensive Leadership and Franchise Ownership Experience
Taco John’s, a Mexican-inspired quick-service restaurant franchise, has appointed Ian Poole vice president of development. His experience includes almost 20 years driving growth for restaurant and franchise brands such as Subway, Dunkin’ and Planet Fitness. He has also been a franchisee with Burger King, Popeyes and Arby’s through Ambrosia QSR, a multi-brand QSR operating company. He now supports Taco John’s expansion through improvements across onboarding, real estate and construction.
“What attracted me to Taco John’s was its legacy and the love that both the franchisee partners and Taco John’s team have for the brand,” Poole said. “Honoring 57 years of history while focusing on the future, while also being the community’s first choice for tacos and burritos, was most appealing to me. I am excited about the opportunity to expand the brand’s footprint in a responsible and sustainable way that focuses on franchisee profitability. I am also excited to partner with our 100-plus franchisees and extremely talented leadership team to tackle the challenges of a very competitive quick-service restaurant marketplace.”
Poole said his experience on both the franchisee and franchisor sides gives him a well-rounded perspective, allowing him to approach challenges from multiple angles and identify effective solutions. “I’m able to view obstacles through different lenses to find the best path forward. Franchising is an incredible model — not only for growing a business, but for developing team members into future leaders.”
His best advice for entrepreneurs considering franchising is to find an industry and a brand that they are passionate about. “The passion and love will help during the challenging times and will also bring some of the greatest joys in your life.”
Heather Neary, president and CEO of Taco John’s, said Poole’s addition to the leadership team underscores the brand’s commitment to strengthening its franchisee development systems. “His perspective as both an executive and franchisee offer invaluable insights into how we can continue to enhance our foundation to ensure each franchisee is set up for success. As we continue to build off the momentum from last year’s operational investments, we are excited to have Ian’s expertise and support on the team,” Neary said.
About Taco John’s
Founded in Cheyenne, Wyo., in the late 1960s, Taco John’s has grown into a leading Mexican-inspired franchise and is widely recognized for coining the term “Taco Tuesday.” Through its Path to Ownership process, franchisees gain access to a robust support network, succession planning resources and ongoing systemwide communication.
The brand has also identified expansion into non-traditional formats with plans to pilot locations alongside experienced operators to foster responsible growth. Franchisees benefit from streamlined menus suited to compact spaces, efficient staffing and production systems and performance standards built to thrive in high-traffic settings.
