Taco John's Opens Second Fargo Location as Pentex Expands in North Dakota

FARGO, N.D., May 27, 2026 — Taco John's will open its second restaurant in Fargo, North Dakota, next month, with the new location operated by Pentex Restaurant Group, the chain's largest franchisee, as the Fargo-based operator continues a planned expansion across the city and the broader Upper Midwest market.

Pentex opened its first Taco John's in Fargo earlier this year, and the second location follows consumer demand that the company said exceeded expectations from the initial opening. The new restaurant will serve Taco John's full West-Mex menu, including signature items Potato Olés and Taco Bravo.

The back-to-back openings reflect both Pentex's confidence in the Fargo market and the wider momentum behind Taco John's franchise-led growth strategy in states where the brand has historically held strong recognition.

Pentex Restaurant Group Drives Taco John's Fargo Growth

Pentex Restaurant Group brings nearly five decades of operating history with the Taco John's brand, running close to 50 outlets across the Upper Midwest and holding the distinction of being the chain's largest single franchisee. The Fargo expansion builds on that long-standing relationship and adds to a footprint the company has steadily extended across the region.

The second Fargo opening is part of a broader plan Pentex has outlined to add further Taco John's restaurants in the area over the coming years, signalling a multi-site commitment to the market rather than a single opportunistic location.

"For us, this second location is about more than growth, it's about showing our long-term commitment to Fargo," said Brett Itterman, CEO of Pentex Restaurant Group. "The response to our first restaurant made it clear that this community was ready for Taco John's return in a big way. We're proud to keep building, hiring locally, and serving guests delicious food at a great value."

Taco John's Sees Strong Appetite in the Fargo Market

The Fargo expansion represents one of the more active franchise development sequences for Taco John's in 2026, with two locations opening in the same city within months of each other. The brand's leadership said the market's response to the first Pentex-operated location validated the timing and pace of the rollout.

"Fargo has shown us how strong its appetite for Taco John's is, and we're excited to bring a second location to the community," said Heather Neary, President and CEO of Taco John's. "Pentex Restaurant Group has deep roots in this city and a long history with our brand, making them the ideal partner to continue growing in the region."

Taco John's was founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and currently operates more than 300 restaurants across 21 states. The chain's West-Mex positioning, a blend of Mexican-inspired flavours and American quick service formats, has maintained a loyal customer base across its Upper Midwest and Mountain West strongholds since its founding.

QSR Franchise Expansion Continues Across the Upper Midwest in 2026

The Fargo openings follow a pattern visible across the quick service restaurant sector in 2026, where established regional chains are deepening their presence in mid-sized American cities rather than concentrating expansion solely in major coastal markets. Fargo, as North Dakota's largest city and a growing commercial and university hub, has attracted consistent attention from regional QSR operators seeking markets with strong repeat-customer potential and lower site costs than larger metros.

For Taco John's, the Pentex partnership in Fargo offers a template for franchise-led density, entering a market, establishing consumer demand, and then layering in additional locations quickly rather than treating each city as a single-unit opportunity.

The second Fargo Taco John's is scheduled to open in June 2026. A specific address has not yet been publicly confirmed.