Franchising

IHOP franchisee opening 20 Fuzzy's in Nevada

Photo: Fuzzy's

October 13, 2023

Texas-based Fuzzy's Taco Shop is entering Nevada, thanks to a 20-restaurant agreement with Mr. Stax, which owns and operates IHOP restaurants in eight states. Its COO, Mark Justice, is the first IHOP franchisee to enter into a franchise agreement with Fuzzy's Taco Shop after its acquisition by Dine Brands in 2022.

"Mark is a highly qualified and experienced restaurant operator, and we are pleased to welcome him to the Fuzzy's Taco Shop family," Paul Damico, president of Fuzzy's Taco Shop, said in a company press release. "His experience with successfully operating and scaling restaurant brands is exactly what we are looking for in a franchisee, and we know he will maintain the integrity of the brand and Fuzzy's culture."

Justice was introduced to the concept at a Dine Brands conference in Washington D.C., where he had the opportunity to meet Damico.

"After speaking with Paul, I was immediately impressed by his passion and enthusiasm for Fuzzy's Taco Shop," Justice said in the release. "After spending time with him and learning more about the brand, it became clear to me what a unique opportunity Fuzzy's Taco Shop offers and knew it would complement our existing portfolio nicely."

Justice is eyeing Las Vegas for his first Fuzzy's Taco Shop location, with expansion into other markets in Nevada over the next seven years.

"I was also attracted to the flexible footprint that Fuzzy's Taco Shop offers operators," he said. "Each location is uniquely tailored to the market and real estate opportunity creating a true neighborhood feel as soon as you step foot into a restaurant."

Fuzzy's has over 150 locations.