Taco Cabana is an American fast casual restaurant chain that serves Tex-Mex cuisine. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of YTC Enterprises LLC, a subsidiary of the privately held company Yadav Enterprises, Inc., and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Taco Cabana is recognized for its "pink" color scheme and semi-enclosed patio dining areas. Many menu items are handmade daily on-site, in open-display cooking areas.

History

Formation of the restaurant chain

Taco Cabana was founded by Felix Stehling in September 1978, with its first restaurant at the corner of San Pedro and Hildebrand Avenue in Midtown San Antonio. Stehling purchased a vacant Dairy Queen because the family needed additional parking space for their bar across the street, the Crystal Pistol. Stehling decided to open a taco stand. The open-air design of the existing structure led to the "patio cafe" concept that defined the chain's subsequent locations. Felix Stehling's wife, Billie Jo Stehling, created the décor and interior theme for the restaurant chain. After finding all of the patio furniture stolen following the first night of business, Stehling decided to keep the place open 24 hours.

The restaurant focused on fresh foods rather than pre-packaged or pre-prepared foods. The restaurant served beer and margaritas, staying open 24/7 and allowing takeout orders. As the business grew, Stehling asked his two brothers to help expand the chain throughout San Antonio. It soon grew to nine restaurants. In 1986 the brothers left the company after differences in opinion on how to manage the business.

In 1990, Taco Cabana began expansion into neighboring states and continued its growth throughout Texas. Richard Cervera became president of the company in 1990, implementing a plan to franchise the brand. For $30 million, the sale included all 30 San Antonio restaurants of Two Pesos.

Acquisition by Yadav

In August 2021, Yadav Enterprises, Inc. finalized a deal to purchase Taco Cabana from Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. in a deal reportedly worth $85 million. Fiesta cited the reason for the sale is to focus on the Pollo Tropical brand.

In 2002, it temporarily introduced flautas to the menu, which were then made permanent after they proved popular. In 2003, Taco Cabana introduced the "premium bowl," a precursor for salads and bowls on the menu. In April 2004, Taco Cabana introduced the Dozen Breakfast Tacos Box, a promotion that proved popular enough to become permanent. During 2006 through 2010, new products were tested, including the Shrimp Tampico and grilled pupusa. Taco Cabana has introduced a number of temporary items since then, some becoming permanent items, with steak street tacos added in December 2010, brisket tacos added in April 2011, sopapillas and flan in June 2011, and shrimp in February 2013.

In 2012, the company's chefs were experimenting with street food. In 2015, Taco Cabana began using an online mobile ordering app. In January 2018, the chain began offering certain breakfast foods all day. The chain continues to showcase a variety of alcoholic beverages, including its signature $2 margaritas. In March 2018, the chain brought back Texas smokehouse brisket. It continues to have taco boxes with a dozen tacos of various sorts, with all breakfast tacos available in the mornings and several breakfast tacos available all-day. It sells some of its hot sauces as of 2017.

In mid-March 2020, all of the restaurants abandoned their in-store dine-ins and began take-away service caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By June, some allowed outdoor dine-ins, and by early 2021, all Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios were open for guests.

Programs

Taco Cabana has its own app where guests can find locations and order online for delivery or pick-up. TC also has a loyalty rewards program.

Charity work

In Texas, Taco Cabana has been involved with several local military organizations, and the Brand offers a daily 15% discount in-restaurant/drive-thru for those in the military (excluding alcohol and gift card purchases).

Over the years, TC has supported many fundraisers and charities across Texas, including the Warrior and Family Support Center (WFSC) at the Brooke Army Medical Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Texas, the National Kidney Foundation, Susan G Komen, Eva's Heroes and in 2021 hosted a Halloween Treats For A Cause fundraiser for local market food banks. Since 2010 Taco Cabana has hosted Taco Treat fundraisers for the WFSC.

In addition to the daily 15% discount in-restaurant/drive-thru for military personnel, Taco Cabana also offers a daily 15% discount for senior citizens and students – both with valid IDs.

See also

  • Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc.
  • Two Pesos
  • List of Texas companies (T)
  • List of Mexican restaurants

References

  • tacocabana.com