Want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We have you covered. Here’s a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
WE ARE BUZZING
REXBURG
The restaurant’s owners are entering a new chapter after selling the Rexburg location
REXBURG – Serving tacos, crisp burritos and homestyle Mexican food wasn’t the career Brian Larsen wanted. But after doing it for 38 years, it has become a passion, and he will miss the customers and friends he has made over the years.
The 60-year-old Rexburg man and his wife, Christine, have been the faces behind Taco Time at 274 South 2nd West in Rexburg since 1990. As of June 2022, the fast-food restaurant is under bag- ownership.
In a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, Brian said there were several health challenges that forced him to sell the restaurant.
“I have rheumatoid arthritis,” he said, explaining that it was tiring to use his hands and stand all day with the condition.
He sold the business to his former managers, Kevin and Candi McFadden, who had worked with him for the past 30 years.
Larsen started Taco Time in 1984 when he was a student at Ricks College. His close friend, Scott Knowles, was in charge of it at the time and gave him a chance to make money after he returned from serving a mission in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Christine also works there, and when Larsen is hired, they meet and quickly fall in love.
“I only worked part-time for the first two semesters, and then in April 1985 … the manager quit. I only worked there for nine months, and the owners called me and asked if me and my wife wanted to manage it,” Larsen recalled. “My wife has been working here since she was 14, so she has more experience than I did at that time.”
Over the next five years, Brian went on to pursue a degree in finance at Idaho State University. He was just 30 credits shy of graduating when he decided to drop out. He and his wife bought the restaurant from the previous owner in 1990, and Brian didn’t think he could go to school and manage a restaurant at the same time.
“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Brian said. “The food at Taco Time was great, and I fell in love with (the idea of having my own restaurant).”
And under his ownership, it became a family affair. His children work at Taco Time, and two of them met their spouses there, as did Brian and Christine.
During his tenure, Brian says the business is booming. The Rexburg store’s sales numbers place it in the top 15 for franchises nationwide.
Build a successful business
World War II Navy Veteran Ron Fraedrick began selling his brand of Mexican fast food when he opened the first walk-up Taco Time in his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, in 1960, according to the company’s website. . He opened three more the next year.
Today, there are 226 locations nationwide and 74 in Canada. The Rexburg location opened in the 1970s.
Larsen grew up working in a bakery with his dad. He is grateful for the work ethic he gained through that experience.
Although he never considered owning a restaurant, he was always interested in owning a business.
In 1997, Larsen and his wife tore down their house next to Taco Time to expand the drive-thru and seating capacity area inside. They also made a major upgrade to the cash register system.
“From there, we just went,” he said. “Year after year, we grow (in sales).”
Tragedy struck in 2004 when electricity burned the original building to the ground. All that was left standing were the walls.
Larsen built a new building in its place. On opening day, Brian said they couldn’t keep up with the number of customers.
“We had lines at the drive-thru and on the street. The support people gave us was just crazy,” Larsen said. “I stood there and cried.”
It was that kind of support from the community over the years that Larsen will miss the most. He is grateful to his customers, and he is proud of the name he has built over the past four decades.
“We built the store from opening the doors (to a thriving business), so it’s a huge success story, in my opinion,” he said.
He and his wife look forward to traveling together during their retirement and spending time with the grandchildren.
Kevin McFadden started working at Taco Time when he was a young college student, and he’s happy to provide the same opportunity for today’s generation.
He is grateful for his friendship with the Larsens, and he is excited to build on what they are trying to build.
“We want to continue what has been successful, but of course, we want to try to grow the business beyond what it is,” he said.
BIZ BIT
Two insurance companies have merged to better serve customers
IDAHO FALLS – Teton Medicare and Generations Insurance of Idaho Falls are joining forces April 1 to provide better insurance services to local residents.
Generations Insurance CEO Casey Peterson and Teton Medicare CEO Lee Wilson have agreed to collaborate and expand their offerings. Teton Medicare will retain the agency name throughout the migration.
With a combined clientele of about 7,500 people – the majority of which are in Idaho – the merger will create a larger customer base and a wider range of products and services.
This move is expected to provide a significant boost to the local insurance industry and position the new agency for continued growth and success.
Opening of a drive-thru coffee shop in Chubbuck
CHUBBUCK – Baristas at The Human Bean will begin pouring coffee and other specialty beverages at 5209 Yellowstone Avenue in Chubbuck.
Customers are invited to sample the offerings at the drive-thru starting Thursday, March 30. The menu includes specialty-grade coffee, fruit smoothies, whole-leaf tea and hot breakfast items. Each item has a signature chocolate-covered espresso bean on top.
Owners Melissa and Theo Warner look forward to providing above-par products and exceptional customer service.
With a reputation for happy baristas and sustainably sourced coffee, The Human Bean coffee company has grown from a location in southern Oregon to a nationwide brand over the past 24 years.
With quarterly charitable donations and many smaller local initiatives, the company strives to make staff, partners, vendors and customers feel valued.
Human Bean is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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