DES MOINES – Inc. magazine has named Taco John’s of Iowa to its 35th-annual Inc. 5,000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.
Taco John’s of Iowa ranked 4,752 on the list following a three-year sales growth of 48 percent. The list represents a comprehensive look at one of the most important segments of America’s economy – independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Timberland and LinkedIn gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5,000.
“We’re especially proud to make this list, considering we’re a 43-year-old organization,” said Bill Byrne, Taco John’s of Iowa founder and chairman. “Over the years, we have been the first workplace for so many young people who are now employers and leaders throughout Iowa. We tried, during the time they spent with us, to give them a good first impression of free enterprise. That is one of our proudest accomplishments.”
The companies on the 2016 Inc. 5,000 list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8 percent of all jobs created in the entire U.S. economy during that period.
“We want to make a difference in the communities we serve,” said Jeff Brands, Taco John’s of Iowa CEO. “We currently have about 400 employees in 23 restaurants, or an average of 17 employees per restaurant. That has a significant impact on local economies.”
Complete results of the Inc. 5,000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
“The Inc. 5,000 list stands out where it really counts,” said Eric Schurenberg, Inc. president and editor-in-chief. “It honors real achievement by a founder or a team of them. No one makes the Inc. 5,000 without building something great – usually from scratch. That’s one of the hardest things to do in business, as every company founder knows. But without it, free enterprise fails.”
Taco John’s of Iowa owns and operates 23 quick-service restaurants in Des Moines metro, Ames, Boone, Creston, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pella and Grinnell. Privately owned under the Taco John’s franchise, the business opened its first Des Moines restaurant in 1973. Taco John’s prides itself on serving generous portions, menu items prepared fresh to order, high-quality ingredients and original recipes, seasonings and sauces.