Franchise Empire Articles

Franchise of the Week: Taco Bell’s $1B Taco Strategy & A Great North Carolina Resale

Written by Tariq Johnson | Oct 5, 2025 1:41:27 PM

Hey Empire Builders,

Welcome to this week’s Franchise Empire Newsletter, where we share specific franchise opportunities that we think are interesting, and examples of everyday folks building their empires.

Want to keep up with our latest newsletters?

Today, in 5 minutes or less:

Great Resale available in North Carolina

The Origin of Taco Bell (And the $1B Taco That Changed Everything)*

Building More Than a Business: Mitch’s Journey to Cabinet IQ

Is a Hampton Inn Franchise Worth $20 million? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

*You should treat the values as approximated values. These values were found online through research.

Big Update for Franchise Buyers!

For those of you who are struggling to find the right franchise, or maybe you’ve worked with a broker or consultant and haven’t had success…

We now offer complimentary access to our proprietary Zero to Profitable Franchise™ system to help you get access to the most proven franchises and reduce your risk, so that you can buy a money-making franchise with confidence and PROTECT YOUR ASSETS. 

This is exclusively available for franchise buyers that want to work with our team in a brokerage capacity to find, vet, and launch a money-making franchise.

You can schedule a free consultation with our team to see if you qualify and if we are the right fit to work with each other.

You can do that here https://www.franchiseempire.com/ztpf

FEATURED RESALE

Franchise resales possess many benefits for aspiring business owners – established cash flow, experienced employees, systems in place, and brand awareness, to name a few. 

This week, our featured resale comes from Mr. Electric, a Neighborly brand. Established in 1994 and acquired by Neighborly in 2007, Mr. Electric has grown to approximately 190 units throughout the country. Mr. Electric sells, services, repairs, installs, and maintains electrical systems, equipment, components and supplies, including upgrades, remodeling, and related services for both residential and commercial customers.

 

Mr.Electric – Greensboro, NC

  • Started in 2021
  • 2023 revenue of $685,000**
  • Asking price of $850,000
  • Vehicles and tools/equipment included in the sale
  • Two territories included
**Sales are non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the franchisor. You should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and the asking price supplied by the Seller.

Franchise Empire’s Take:

  • According to the FDD, the average sales for franchisees with a territory ranging from 300,001 – 500,0001 population is $1.1M amongst all reporting franchisees.*
  • The industry is constantly advancing. Electricity doesn’t look the same as it used to 20, 10, or even 5 years ago. People want advanced technology, with speakers in every room and smart lights.
  • Corporate has a call center that will answer incoming calls and put them on the next available appointment with your technician.
  • This business can start in your home until you are ready to have an office space, and your business supports needing one. Owners typically start with one tech/van and continue to scale.
**Sales are non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the franchisor. You should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and the asking price supplied by the Seller.

Curious to learn more about this particular franchise resale, or other resales available in your area?

We have a list of over 100+ resales with various brands spanning the United States and Canada. Click the link below to find out what specific opportunities are available in your area.

🎉New Franchise Owner through Franchise Empire 🎉

Mitch had been exploring different franchise options, looking for the right mix of growth potential, strong systems, and something he could take pride in.

He wanted more than just a business; he wanted a chance to serve his local community while building something meaningful for his family. That’s when he came to us.

Through our process, we helped him get clear on what mattered most and guided him toward brands that matched his goals. Cabinet IQ stood out right away.

The model offered a high-quality product, a clear path to scalability, and the chance to make a real impact in Athens, Georgia.

Now, Mitch is the proud owner of a Cabinet IQ territory and is ready to help homeowners and local businesses elevate their spaces with premium cabinets and countertops.

Congrats, Mitch. A new chapter begins!

FRANCHISE OF THE WEEK

Description & History:

Before tacos made him a multimillionaire, Glen Bell was running a small hamburger stand in San Bernardino, California. Just across the street was Mitla Café, a family-owned Mexican restaurant drawing long lines for its crunchy hard-shell tacos.

Bell didn’t just watch, he learned. Over time, he built a relationship with the owners and adapted their process into a system he could scale. In 1954, he opened Taco Tia to refine that model. Then, in 1962, the first Taco Bell launched in Downey, California.

Franchising followed just two years later, with the first franchisee opening in Torrance, California. By 1970, Taco Bell had 325 locations across the country, and in 1978, PepsiCo acquired the brand for $125 million*.

Fast forward to 2012, and Taco Bell introduced one of the most successful fast-food launches ever: the Doritos Locos Taco. Over 100 million sold in just 10 weeks. More than $1 billion in revenue*. And the kicker? The idea came from interns back in 1995 and sat untouched for 17 years.

That’s Taco Bell: bold, adaptable, and always thinking ahead.

Now, with its headquarters in Irvine, California, it operates thousands of locations worldwide and continues to redefine what’s possible in the fast-food industry through aggressive innovation and brand strength. Let’s break down the numbers behind the opportunity. 👇

*You should treat the values as approximated values. These values were found online through research.

 

 

Numbers*:

  • Franchise Units: 7349 units
  • Franchise Fee:

    • $45,000 for new Traditional Units and existing Units purchased from us or one of our affiliates

    • $25,000 for new In-Lines and End-Caps

  • Marketing fee: 4.25% of the Unit’s Gross Sales

  • Royalty Fee: 5.5% on gross sales 

  • Initial Investment: $1,859,750 – $4,310,200 

    • In-line & End-cap: $934,750 – $1,815,200 

  • Net Worth Requirement: $5,000,000

  • Liquid Capital Required: $2,000,000 personal liquidity (defined as cash or any assets that can be converted to cash within 10 business days).

  • Term: 25 years
    *Numbers according to their FDD released on March 27, 2025

Ideal Franchise Candidate:

  • Operators with experience running multi-unit or quick-service restaurant concepts.

  • Entrepreneurs are willing to assume full business risk as independent owners.

  • Individuals are comfortable with strict brand standards and consistent operational procedures.

  • Candidates with strong financials to meet real estate, construction, and technology requirements over a 25-year term.

Financial Data*:

*Information below taken from the Taco Bell 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document – Item 19 

Benefits for the Franchisee:

  • Brand Recognition – Taco Bell is a globally recognized brand with decades of consumer loyalty and strong system-wide sales.
  • Multiple Formats – Opportunities to open free-standing restaurants, in-line stores, or express units in a variety of markets.
  • National Marketing Support – Franchisees benefit from professionally managed national campaigns and media spend through NAFA (National Advertising Fund Administration).
  • System Stability – Backed by YUM! Brands and supported by decades of operating infrastructure and proven procedures.
  • Technology Infrastructure – Franchisees have access to Taco Bell’s tech stack, including POS systems, backend systems, and an IT help desk.

To see if this franchise is available in your territory

OR

Check the availability of ALL franchises in your area

Episode #114: Is a Hampton Inn Franchise Worth $20 million? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

Hampton by Hilton is one of the most recognizable names in hospitality, but is this hotel franchise actually worth the $20M+ investment?

In this video, I break down the startup costs, hidden fees, and what Hilton doesn’t tell you in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Podcast Platforms

That’s a wrap for this week’s Franchise Empire newsletter. 

Feel free to reply with any questions, or feedback. I appreciate and value your time and attention.

I’ll see you at the same time next week!

-Tariq and The Franchise Empire Team

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