Dive Brief:
- Taco John’s appointed Jackie Secor as chief operating officer, the company said in a Monday press release.
- Secor, who has over 25 years of industry experience, will help accelerate the brand’s growth, boost franchisee success and continue to streamline operations systemwide.
- Since the company hired Heather Neary as CEO last year, the chain has accelerated expansion with single- and multi-unit developments in new and existing markets. In March, Taco John’s unveiled a Path to Ownership and optimized business model to streamline franchisee development and create more sustainable long-term growth.
Dive Insight:
Secor is well positioned to support Taco John’s franchisee growth. The bulk of her career has been spent at GoTo Foods, focusing on various aspects of operations. Her most recent position for the company was senior vice president of operations and training, a role she held for over a year, according to her LinkedIn profile. She originally began her career as a shift manager at Auntie Anne’s.
Her strengths include aligning “strategy with data and analytics to streamline operations and profitability,” according to a press release.
“My career started on the front line, and that perspective continues to shape how I lead. I believe in structured collaboration, leveraging data, empowering teams, and driving consistency across the system,” Secor said.
Secor will oversee restaurant operations, technology and training in addition to cross-functional collaboration with departments like supply chain, marketing and development. She will be particularly focused on excellence in operations, optimizing performance and ensuring franchisees receive best-in-class support.
Secor said her success in past roles included strong partnership with franchisees, and she will lean into Taco John’s people-first culture to boost average unit volumes for existing franchisees and expand into new markets.
The chain has also been looking into technology to boost operations. Last year, it rolled out drive-thru voice automation through a pilot with Presto. It also has been working with franchisees to determine what technology would help improve operations.
Taco John’s has been entering new markets, opening its first Boston location in April that will set itself up for further expansion along the East Coast. The location, owned by Reliance Hospitality Group, is part of a previously signed agreement for 22 units in Boston and Connecticut.
