Maui Tacos will open six new restaurants this year and 12 more in 2019, the company said Tuesday in announcing a major expansion that will take the chain to the mainland.
Joining the current roster of eight Maui Tacos on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island this year will be franchise operations in Monroe, La.; Charleston, S.C.; Reno, Nev.; and Las Vegas. Locally, stores will open in Kahului and Pearl City.
The only 2019 location announced so far is in Hilo.
Maui Tacos was founded in 1993 by Mark Ellman, one of the 12 founding chefs of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. Ellman remains a partner involved in development of the menu.
The company’s current CEO is Jeff Endervelt, who has been at the helm since 2004. Endervelt is former CEO, president and board chairman of Blimpie International Inc.
More franchisees are being sought in target markets including Washington state, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Singapore fines 2 over short-term rentals
SINGAPORE >> A court in Singapore on Tuesday fined two men $45,800 each for breaching laws banning short-term rentals by renting out condominium units through online services such as Airbnb, Craigslist and HomeAway.
Terence Tan En Wei and Yao Songlaing had pleaded guilty at the State Court in February to four charges of illegally renting out four units last year, in the first case of its kind in the Southeast Asian island nation.
Offering short stays in private homes is illegal in Singapore, where most residents live in subsidized public housing. The minimum rental period had been six months but has since been reduced to three months. Officials have said the rule minimizes disturbances to neighbors.
Taco Bell accelerating its Australia growth
Taco Bell, increasingly focused on global growth amid a saturated U.S. market, is expanding Down Under.
In November the chain opened its first Australia restaurant in Brisbane, and it has exceeded management’s expectations, said Liz Williams, president of Taco Bell International. “It’s going to be a top market for us.” Now Taco Bell is working with the franchisee to speed expansion in Australia.
In Australia, Taco Bell sells California burritos, quesadillas and nachos, along with beer and margaritas. It also offers fries with nacho toppings.
