Financing

How Heather Neary is bringing Taco John's into the future

A Deeper Dive: On this week’s episode of the restaurant finance podcast, the CEO of the fast-food Mexican chain talks about technology, franchising and menu innovation.

How do you take a 56-year-old brand into the future?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Heather Neary, the CEO of the fast-food Mexican chain Taco John’s.

This is our latest in a series of podcast episodes recorded from the National Restaurant Show in May.

Neary took over as CEO of Taco John’s last year. We speak with her about what she’s done over the past year-plus on the job.

We were particularly interested in the company’s technology initiatives, including its voice-activated drive-thru AI test. We talk with Neary about how well it works, how it benefits Taco John’s and what the company does with the labor that no longer has to take orders.

Neary discusses the company’s franchising strategy and its expansion plans. She also talks about the chain’s menu development efforts.

We’re talking tacos on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

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