Worland will be OK

As of June 1, Taco John’s Worland will shutter its doors.

From what I learned from the owner, Lindsay Stilwell of Lodar Inc. from Casper, she has opted to not renew the franchise agreement that is up on June 2. There are a number of reasons for this including cost of the agreement and new requirements. Please read the story on Page 1.

It’s unfortunate but not unusual for businesses to have to let franchise agreements go; especially here in the Big Horn Basin. Both Greybull and Thermopolis have had sandwich franchises close down and re-opened up under non-franchised names, due to cost of franchising.

In Lovell, Jim Minchow had opened a “Mexpress” Taco John’s, along with a Blimpie’s. He said after Taco John’s ended the Mexpress option the fees for a “small town” franchise, along with necessary renovations that at that time would cost about $150,000, which was too much for them to continue with the franchise. He said he looked into going with another taco franchise but ultimately continued the restaurant without a franchise

Hopefully someone will be able to come in and open a restaurant at the location. But, it may not be a franchise place. First let’s look at the Taco John’s franchise requirements. According to the company’s website to have a franchise for Taco John’s someone should have $1 million net worth and $500,000 liquid capital.

The same “minimum” financial requirements are necessary for a Wendy’s franchise and a Burger King franchise. Burger King also requires a $50,000 initial franchise fee. (Minchow noted at the time the “small town” Taco John’s fee was $25,000 in addition to 10% commission and 2% advertising fee).

Other franchises, such as Taco Bell and McDonald’s require forms that ask about your liquid assets but do not list specific requirements on the website.

Taco Time shows investment at between $331,150 to $762,800 with a $30,000 franchise fee.

MEMORIES

No matter the reason the Worland Taco John’s is closing, it brings up a lot of memories, like when it first opened and we would come over as teens, go roller skating and swing by Taco John’s for a special treat.

We loved coming to Taco John’s and thought it was great when we finally got one in Thermopolis. I also remember how disappointed I was when I went to the one in Laramie and it just did not taste the same.

More recently, Taco John’s is a favorite of the staff here at the Northern Wyoming News, especially on Tuesday’s, one of our late nights and busy days.

It is also a favorite on Wednesday’s with TJ’s breakfast burrito special that we partake in right after pages are sent to the press.

I also remember going there after Christmas Lighted Parade with my cousin a few years ago joining other parade goers.

WORLAND

So, what does this mean for Worland.

Yes, it means for the time being another empty storefront, but it does not mean that it will not re-open in some capacity as something besides a Taco John’s.

But our community is resilient. Let’s take a look at recent history. Shopko closed and everyone was afraid of what that would mean to the community. But Ace Hardware expanded and even though the Kennedy’s retired they sold it to another local family that is keeping the hardware store going.

The old hardware store turned into a newer, advanced library.

Washakie Twin Cinemas closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and we felt the loss for a few years until the Dykstra family remodeled and opened Washakie Cinemas.

Sugarbeet Salon closed but is now re-opened as Sugarbeet Boutique and Art; Lizzie Bell Presents closed but it provided the opportunity for Blue Jeans and Pearls to move in and expand from its previous location.

Mountain West Computers has closed (in Worland and Powell), but Lance Berryman will continue the computer repair/technician services from his home.

Ty Jenkins and his family have invested in Ten Sleep and Worland communities; Gus and Paola Minicozzi moved from California to invest in Worland.

There have been a number of new businesses opening in Ten Sleep and Worland over the past few years.

People are investing in this community.

We can mourn the loss of certain businesses, but Worland will be just fine, just as we were after Shopko closed, just as we have been after other businesses have closed.

In the words of Mayor Jim Gill’s motto, we ARE ‘Worland Proud.’ We will be OK.