Taco John’s coming to Indy with up to 15 restaurants

The latest fast-food entrant headed to Indianapolis: Taco John’s, which sells tacos by the six-pack and potato oles by the pound.

The Wyoming-based Mexican food chain (the first TJ’s opened there in 1969) said it plans to build up to 15 restaurants in the Indianapolis area.

No locations were announced, but the local franchisee will be Michael House, president of Peacock Cos., a Westfield real estate company who operates two BoomBozz Craft Pizza and Taproom restaurants.

“I’m very excited about bringing Taco John’s to Indianapolis,” House said in a statement. “There is an opening in the market for this type of industry. There’s a plethora of guys doing burgers, but in the taco business — where we are in Indianapolis — you only have one main player.”

Taco John’s has 380 restaurants in 27 states. It’s now expanding east of the Mississippi River.

Its taco-centric menu contains a few off-beat Mexican-themed items, such as Oreo churros.

The privately owned chain was founded in 1969 by John Turner, who started selling tacos and burritos to visitors at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo.

Taco John’s announced on its website that House has an agreement to open five Indianapolis sites with an option for 10 more.

Call Star reporter Jeff Swiatek at (317)444-6483. Follow him on Twitter: @JeffSwiatek.