Taco Bell Franchise Owners Celebrate 30 Years in Central Illinois
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: September 18, 2012
NORMAL--From open to close the kitchen at Taco Bell is cooking up business.
It's a comforting sight for owner Bud Jenkins and his partner Janet.
The pair bought into the franchise 30 years ago, and say at first their decision seemed slightly "el loco."
"Many people did not think Mexican food would actually work here," said Jenkins. "Some people would say, 'How are you going to sell a teco?' They didn't even know how to pronounce a taco back then!"
But with coaxing and good customer service, the pair helped change the community's taste buds.
"If you have those as your basics and treat people the way you want to be treated, be it your customers, be it your employees, those are hopefully the factors that will keep you around for a long period of time," Jenkins explained.
The Jenkins says three decades of success don't come from sticking with the status quo.
"You've got to be able to change. You've got to be able to morph into the organization, the company you want to be."
That's why the pair is renovating its restaurants to suit the needs of its clientele.
"New tiles, new furniture, new decor, and internet," Jenkins explained.
When the changes are finished this fall, the Jenkins hope dining areas will be just as busy as drive thrus.
"With all of our different tacos, we probably serve anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 depending on the day, depending on how busy we are," said General Manager Charlotte Fraze.
She says she's thankful for the opportunity the franchise has given her, and hopes to continue building upon Taco's Bell's success.
"Our motto is, 'If you're not first, you're last,' so every day, we hit the door running and we strive to be the best. We don't' want to just be good, we don't want to just be better than our competitors. We strive to be the best," said Fraze.
Order up!
The Jenkins currently own 14 Taco Bells in Central Illinois.
They plan to break ground on another restaurant in Bloomington this spring.
It's a comforting sight for owner Bud Jenkins and his partner Janet.
The pair bought into the franchise 30 years ago, and say at first their decision seemed slightly "el loco."
"Many people did not think Mexican food would actually work here," said Jenkins. "Some people would say, 'How are you going to sell a teco?' They didn't even know how to pronounce a taco back then!"
But with coaxing and good customer service, the pair helped change the community's taste buds.
"If you have those as your basics and treat people the way you want to be treated, be it your customers, be it your employees, those are hopefully the factors that will keep you around for a long period of time," Jenkins explained.
The Jenkins says three decades of success don't come from sticking with the status quo.
"You've got to be able to change. You've got to be able to morph into the organization, the company you want to be."
That's why the pair is renovating its restaurants to suit the needs of its clientele.
"New tiles, new furniture, new decor, and internet," Jenkins explained.
When the changes are finished this fall, the Jenkins hope dining areas will be just as busy as drive thrus.
"With all of our different tacos, we probably serve anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 depending on the day, depending on how busy we are," said General Manager Charlotte Fraze.
She says she's thankful for the opportunity the franchise has given her, and hopes to continue building upon Taco's Bell's success.
"Our motto is, 'If you're not first, you're last,' so every day, we hit the door running and we strive to be the best. We don't' want to just be good, we don't want to just be better than our competitors. We strive to be the best," said Fraze.
Order up!
The Jenkins currently own 14 Taco Bells in Central Illinois.
They plan to break ground on another restaurant in Bloomington this spring.
