After contending with a series of closures and lagging restaurant openings, a popular taco chain is finally starting to grow again, and quickly, thanks to two major new expansion deals.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop—a fast-casual chain that serves up a variety of tacos, burritos, bowls, and other Mexican-style fare—just announced plans to open 40 brand-new locations.
Meanwhile, new franchisee Hnreck Nazarian of Nazarian Global Enterprises (NGE) will open the other 25 stores in the Houston area over the next seven years.
Opening 40 new restaurants is a big deal for pretty much any chain, but it's especially notable for Fuzzy's since the company has faced store closures and stalled expansion in recent years, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.
Local media reports indicate that at least a few Fuzzy's locations opened throughout 2023, but the chain's current store count (128 locations) is still down from its peak of nearly 150 locations in 2018.
The expansion deals aren't the only exciting Fuzzy's news to come out recently. Earlier this week, the chain launched three new limited-time menu items that will stick around through June 30.
The taco features grilled steak, seasoned fries, guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, and chipotle sauce on a warm flour tortilla.
Fuzzy's also announced on May 22 that its popular red, white, and blue frozen margarita—named the "Bomb-a-'Rita"—is back on the menu through July 7.