Taco John’s CEO Heather Neary on recapturing nostalgic customers

Take-Away with Sam Oches

Nation's Restaurant News

Business, Entrepreneurship

2.5 • 15 Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Heather Neary, CEO of Taco John’s, in-person at the Restaurant Leadership Conference in Phoenix. Heather took the reins at Taco John’s a little over a year ago, shortly after the brand experienced the bright spotlight of the Taco Tuesday trademark battle with Taco Bell. Her strategy at the chain has been to tap into Taco John’s roots as a 56-year-old Mexican QSR that has a presence in a lot of small communities across America, and to remind fans who may be nostalgic for the chain why they should fall in love with it all over again. She joined the podcast to talk about how Taco John’s plans to capture the attention of young consumers in particular and why it’s pursuing disciplined, responsible growth across the country.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

You can go a long distance by taking little steps every day
Nostalgia is a powerful marketing tool
Sometimes the things you should be talking about are the most obvious
In volatile, uncertain times, it’s helpful to tackle things as a team
Disciplined, responsible growth is usually more productive than shiny opportunities

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	Our industry is grappling with uncertainty.
0:01.8	At the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, you'll explore innovative solutions,
0:05.4	strategies, and partnerships that will prepare you for whatever comes your way.
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0:26.6	Great quoted ends on May 9th and applies to operators only.
0:28.4	Non-exhibiting suppliers are subject to a higher badge rate.
0:29.7	Please check out the show's website.
0:30.6	Hey there, welcome to Takeaway with Sam Ocas, a podcast from Nation's Restaurant News. I am Sam Ocas, editor-in-chief here at NRN, and this is the show where I give
0:38.7	you an all-access pass to the restaurant industry's most influential decision-makers. This
0:43.7	week I'm talking with Heather Neary, the CEO of Taco Johns, who I sat down with in-person at the
0:49.2	recent restaurant leadership conference in Phoenix. Heather took the reins at Taco Johns a little over a year ago,
0:55.1	shortly after the brand experienced the bright spotlight of the Taco Tuesday trademark battle
0:59.9	with Taco Bell. Her strategy at the chain has been to tap into Taco John's roots as a 56-year-old
1:06.3	Mexican QSR that has a presence in a lot of small communities across America.
1:16.1	And it's been to remind fans who may be nostalgic for the chain why they should fall in love with it all over again. She joined the podcast to talk about how Taco Johns plans to capture the
1:21.4	attention of young consumers in particular and why it's pursuing disciplined,
	...

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