Quiznos, taco chain plan statewide convenience store expansion

The Denver-based parent company of fast-casual brands Quiznos and Taco Del Mar plans to open more than a dozen new dual-restaurant locations in Florida convenience stores, starting with Lee and Sarasota counties.

REGO Restaurant Group, which also operates Dairy Queen, in addition to Quiznos and Taco Del Mar, entered into a deal with Doral-based Sunshine Gasoline Distributors Inc. for the expansion, according to a statement. The deal calls for at least 13 combined, dual-branded Quiznos and Taco Del Mar restaurants in central and south Florida, including Orlando, Tampa and Miami. The first one opened earlier this year in a Cape Coral Chevron station. The next one is scheduled for Venice, in May.

“We are thrilled to expand our footprint in the Sunshine state in this unique, convenience store-friendly format, with a tremendous partner in Sunshine Gasoline,” Tim Casey, CEO of REGO Restaurant Group, which owns Quiznos and Taco Del Mar, says in the release. “The combination of the rebranded concepts, featuring inventive subs and made-to order-Baja inspired eats, coupled with the operational expertise of Sunshine Gasoline, provides a winning foundation to bring Quiznos back to local fans who have missed the brand, and to introduce Taco Del Mar to the region.”