GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Jo To Go America Inc. has opened the first franchise site to offer the company's Taco Flamingo/Jo To Go Coffee fast-casual Mexican food/specialty coffee concept, located in Troy, Mich. The franchisee plans to open two additional locations in 2009. Franchisee John Ghafari has converted his Mobil convenience store to include the co-branded concept. The new store opened the first week of September.
The Jo To Go Coffee element of the co-branded team offers specialty coffee drinks, bakery and a special menu for kids. Taco Flamingo offers fresh-Mexican fare with breakfast, [image-nocss] lunch and dinner options. Ingredients in Taco Flamingo menu items include 100% beef, as well as seasoned chicken, pork, fish and brown beans. Vegetables are chopped by hand. Tortilla chips are made fresh throughout the day.
"Our menu is fresh and 90% fried-free," said president Dick DuBois. "You'll feel good after you eat at Taco Flamingo."
DuBois said the Troy location, positioned in the city's business sector, will do a brisk catering business with the Taco Flamingo Catering Program. It has already booked its first catering engagements. Taco Flamingo offers four catering menu options: grilled burritos, the Taco Bar, the Nacho Bar or the Salad Bar. Catering packages include beverage options, delivery and setup.
Ghafari said that he plans to open additional locations in 2009—a freestanding store, and his Mobil convenience store located in Birmingham, Mich., will be remodeled to include the co-branded concept.
"We decided to open a Jo To Go Coffee/Taco Flamingo because the company offers a wide variety of great products," said store manager Samer Ghafari. "For the last 10 years, the company has spent an endless amount of time researching and developing an intelligent business plan and products of the highest quality. We are passionate about supporting and expanding with Taco Flamingo/Jo To Go Coffee."
Founded in Green Bay, Wis., in 1998, the quick-service drive-thru businesses of Jo To Go America Inc. cater to busy lifestyles with speed, convenience and fun. The company continues to add coffee franchise opportunities across the United States, with franchises under contract in Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin.
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