TaKorean FD Site | Korean Taco Grill

Own a TaKorean

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A Different Take on Tacos

Own a Fast Casual Franchise with Bold, Fresh, Unique Flavors and an Amazing Team Culture

With a deep love and appreciation for food, founder and CEO Michael Lenard, opened TaKorean in August 2010 out of a 1985 Ford step van that he converted to a food truck. A native of Washington, DC, Lenard is determined to provide healthy, well-balanced meals at a reasonable price to his fellow Washingtonians. Now you can bring a TaKorean franchise to your neighborhood and build an exciting business for yourself.

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TaKorean Brings Fresh, From Scratch Fusion Concept to Fast Casual Landscape

How TaKorean Brings a Unique Fusion Concept to the 'Build Your Own Bowl' Market

TaKorean Brings a Refreshing Spin on Korean Food to the Restaurant Space

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available markets

Why TaKorean is the Franchise For you

$126B

Quick Service
Restaurant
industry

76%

of Americans
choose Asian food
as their favorite

90%

Growth in
Interest Since
2021 in
Korean Cuisine

42%

Consumers are more
likely to try a new or
unique flavor from a
restaurant

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Fresh Combinations Inspired by Korean Flavors

Proprietary
recipes

Cravings guests
come back for

The TaKorean restaurant franchise is a hip, modern, appealing space that serves up fresh-made tacos, rice bowls, and slaws bursting with Korean and Latin American inspired flavors. We engineered a product that is conducive for our franchise partners, including product packaging. You’ll provide tastier, healthier fare that fills up and satisfies your customers.

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TaKorean is founded and led by a diverse team with over 60 years of food service experience, and 18 years combined leading TaKorean. The Founder, Mike Lenard, still leads the company 12 years later, along with Lukas Umana who joined the leadership team over 5 years ago. Lukas had previously owned and operated his own quick-service restaurant company. Eric Lenard, has over 30 years of experience as an Executive Chef and a dining program consultant, joined the team a year ago. Running TaKorean day in and day out over the past 12 years, we are true operators and business strategists, not corporate franchise sales people, who are here to see you succeed!

Mike Lenard

Founder & CEO

Lukas Umana

President

Eric Lenard

Director of Franchise Development

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TaKorean was founded in 2010 after a bit of lighthearted Ebay bidding resulted in founder Mike Lenard buying a food truck. For years, Mike had wanted to develop a mobile vending business, but he had yet to fully develop the concept. This half-accidental food truck acquisition was just the push he needed.

Mike’s food truck was an immediate hit, earning long lines of hungry professionals at lunch time in busy downtown DC. Before long, he saw an opportunity to expand, but instead of continuing with food trucks, he decided to bring TaKorean to a permanent brick-and-mortar location. After years of successful operations at both locations, the TaKorean team saw another opportunity to expand, this time through franchising.

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As a business philosophy, we believe in Community First Business. What this means to us is that you, the franchisee, your employees, vendors, customers — are all our customers. We aren’t just looking for franchise owners, we are looking for Partners. Our commitment is to your success, and the continued growth of TaKorean as a brand.

We value our food and the cultures it is derived from. We respect our customers, our employees, and each other. The TaKorean brand and philosophy are about creating memorable experiences for the people who choose to join us. Any TaKorean restaurant is a welcoming place for experienced foodies, as well as for those trying new, exciting food and flavors for the first time.

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Amazing, healthy, fresh! Was looking for a low-carb lunch option, so I tried the slaws bowl, with the kale slaws, pork, all the included fixin’s, and daikon pickle. I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed a kale salad so much!”

– yelp

Well worth a stop if you are here….and tacos are so great to share with friends. Had the bulgogi tacos, and they were just excellent. The stand has lots of different choices and toppings. We were thrilled with what we ordered, and suggest you check it out.”

– TripAdvisor

I enjoy their bowls as a vegan lunch option during the work week. Their tofu is served in small roasted blocks. It has been well pressed and seasoned and has a great texture. I like the kale slaws and Korean salsa roja. Great Lunch!”

– Happy Cow

Back of the house is part of the
magic of the investment

Tour Takorean

Backed by a professional team with Over 60 Years of experience, we will help you create a business you will be proud to own. With footprints as small as 700 square feet and limited equipment required, strategic real estate selection, buildout and operations are easier for you.

How much it costs
How much you can make

$215,500 - $781,500

Initial Investment Range

$40,000

Franchise Fee

$200K

Liquidity Requirement

$500K

Net Worth Requirement

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59.4%

Average Prime Cost *at Union Market location

28.8%

Cost of Goods Sold Average from all locations

includes food and
paper costs

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*For more information on TaKorean’s Financial Performance Representations,
please see Item 19 of their 2022 Franchise Disclosure Document.

Industry low 4% royalty

– we want your money to go toward further investing.

EVERY FRANCHISEE DESERVES Great Support

Site Selection & Construction

The TaKorean business model allows for a flexible footprint with simplified, established design packages. That means you can choose the size of your restaurant that meets the needs of your community. Food court, inline strip center location, drive-thru? Whatever the local dynamic, there’s probably a TaKorean option that fits.

Training & Ongoing Support

Visit our flagship restaurant for initial training, and then we will spend time in your restaurant for onsite training to help you get started and instill confidence in your team. Once your business is up and running, count on us to be there to support you as you continue to build and grow your business, both in-person throughout the year, and via phone, text, and email.

Cutting Edge Technology

Use your time leading and delveoping your team, instead of in the office handling the technology you need to run a smooth and efficient operation. From our integrated, AI based bookkeeping, POS, and inventory system to our automated invoicing software, your business will run smoothly as you build it.

Documentation & Resources

You will have access to our confidential operations manual, a valuable tool to reference for day-to-day procedures, exclusive recipes, scheduling, reporting, and beyond.

Marketing

We can help you with branded materials and web presence, as well as appropriate local campaigns to let your community know you and your staff are ready to offer them an excellent experience and great food.

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MEET OUR Secret Sauce

When you buy a TaKorean franchise, you’re not just starting a business, you’re joining a family. Our TaKorean leadership team is a group of diverse and talented entrepreneurs who are carrying out our mission to deliver high quality food and a next level customer experience.

How We Stand Out

Product:

Quality and freshness matter to us. We use freshly made ingredients in our menu.

People:

A great employee experience, makes a great customer experience. We pay 40% more than the national average, and hit or exceed financial results.

EXPERIENCE:

From the time a customer walks in, to the time they sit down to enjoy their meal, we pride ourselves in creating a clean, modern & delicious experience.

AVAILABLE Markets

We’re building together– it’s the TaKorean way. Don’t see your market listed? Contact us. We will work with you!

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Current Locations
Priority Markets
Future Markets
Available Markets

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Email*	Phone Number
CITY OF INTEREST^*	State^*	Zip Code^*
Why are you interested in owning a takorean?^*
Do you have at least $200,000 in cash?YESNO

First Name*	Last Name*
Email*	Phone Number
CITY OF INTEREST^*	State^*	Zip Code^*
Why are you interested in owning a Takorean?^*	Do you have at least $200,000 in cash?YESNO

First Name*	Last Name*
Email*	Phone Number
CITY OF INTEREST^*	State^*	Zip Code^*
Why are you interested in owning a takorean?^*	Do you have at least $200,000 in cash?YESNO

First Name*	Last Name*
Email*	Phone Number
CITY OF INTEREST^*	State^*	Zip Code^*
WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OWNING A WINGS AND RINGS? ^*
Do you have at least $200,000 in cash?YesNo

How TaKorean Will Be the Next Big Restaurant:

Own a TaKorean

A Different Take on Tacos

TaKorean Brings Fresh, From Scratch Fusion Concept to Fast Casual Landscape

How TaKorean Brings a Unique Fusion Concept to the 'Build Your Own Bowl' Market

TaKorean Brings a Refreshing Spin on Korean Food to the Restaurant Space

Why TaKorean is the Franchise For you

Why TaKorean, Why Now

$126B

76%

90%

42%

Mike Lenard

Lukas Umana

Eric Lenard

Back of the house is part of the magic of the investment

Tour Takorean

$215,500 - $781,500

$40,000

$200K

$500K

59.4%

28.8%

Industry low 4% royalty

EVERY FRANCHISEE DESERVES Great Support

Site Selection & Construction

Training & Ongoing Support

Cutting Edge Technology

Documentation & Resources

Marketing

MEET OUR Secret Sauce

How We Stand Out

Product:

People:

EXPERIENCE:

AVAILABLE Markets

Why TaKorean is the Franchise For you

Franchise Opportunity Research

Ready to get in on this ground floor opportunity?

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Back of the house is part of the
magic of the investment