Staffing

Taco John’s hires Ian Poole as VP of development to fuel growth

Source: Taco John's

April 24, 2026

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Taco John's has named industry veteran Ian Poole vice president of development. Poole will focus on franchisee support, onboarding, real estate and construction as part of a broader effort to streamline growth.

"Stepping into this role, my goal is to expand Taco John's footprint in an intentional, sustainable way, delivering streamlined end-to-end support for every owner in our network," Poole said in a press release.

"We're creating a system for both new and existing franchisees to scale with confidence."

Poole previously served as vice president of development for Subway, where he led North American development and oversaw franchise sales, real estate, construction and design, equipment, operations and leasing for more than 22,000 restaurants. He has also supported the expansion of brands including Dunkin' and Planet Fitness and has franchisee experience with Burger King, Popeyes and Arby's through Ambrosia QSR.

Taco John's, based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, is escalating support for franchisees through enhanced training, succession planning and systemwide communication. The company is targeting growth in the Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions, with an emphasis on helping new and existing operators scale profitably.

The brand is also developing smaller-format restaurants designed for lower capital investment in high-demand locations. These units will feature streamlined menus, simplified labor models and targeted marketing strategies.

Taco John's has more than 325 locations across 21 states. According to its franchise disclosure document, the top 25% of U.S. freestanding drive-thru units report average unit volumes exceeding $1.8 million.