It's a sad day in Texas as Taco Cabana, the Tex-Mex fast-casual restaurant, announces 19 closures of Taco Cabana locations. According to Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, the closures are effective immediately and employees will be offered positions at other Taco Cabana restaurants. The closed fast food locations are mostly around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with one in the greater Austin area. The reason, not surprisingly, was a financial one. According to Richard Stockinger, president and chief executive officer, the Taco Cabana team began looking at a margin improvement plan in the fourth quarter of 2019. "The margin improvement plan includes efficiency initiatives in operations across food and operating expense categories and the closure of 19 underperforming restaurants in Texas."
What is Taco Cabana?
Headquartered in San Antonio, Taco Cabana is known for its homemade Mexican food served fast and casual. The first Taco Cabana location opened in September 1978 in Midtown San Antonio in an old Dairy Queen. The taco stand served beer and margaritas as well as stayed open 24-hours for takeout orders. Today only a few Taco Cabana locations are open 24 hours, however, most offer a drive-thru for hungry customers. Favorites on the menu include street tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and flautas.
As for the drinks, margaritas and shots top the list. Back in July, the company started to push its alcohol, offering $4 margaritas, $9.95 pitchers of frozen lime and strawberry margaritas, and $10.95 pitchers of beer in select stores in Dallas, Fort Worth, Balch Springs, Garland, and Murphy. The cantina also offers a Happy hour that runs every day from 4 to 7 p.m, offering beers and sangria for $1 off. Take that Taco Bell, this fast-casual restaurant serves up everything you need for a fun dinner with friends and family.
