Rusty Taco is taking its made-to-order street-style tacos beyond traditional restaurants, expanding its national presence through a growing portfolio of airport, convenience store, and other non-traditional spaces. With new locations opening at Washington Dulles International Airport and Norfolk International Airport this fall, along with an upcoming spot inside Bowlski's in Dallas, the brand is showing how its flexible concept can translate across high-traffic environments.
The next phase of Rusty Taco's airport growth begins with a new location at Norfolk International Airport toward the end of November, growing its presence among East Coast travelers. The opening reinforces airports as a key part of the brand's national development strategy. Rusty Taco's airport momentum continues in November when it opens its second location at Washington Dulles International Airport in Concourse E. This expansion builds on its first location, which opened in Concourse D in 2023, and its partnership with Affinity LLC, an experienced foodservice operator with a long-standing presence at Dulles. The addition of a second Rusty Taco at Dulles demonstrates its popularity and ability to grow in a major travel hub.
"Our growth in airports and other non-traditional venues is a strong example of how we can adapt to different environments while still delivering the same fresh menu guests know and love," said David Gonzalez, VP of Development for Gala Capital Partners, parent company of Rusty Taco. "It's also an opportunity to introduce our brand to travelers from across the country who might be trying us for the first time."
Airports aren't the only piece of Rusty Taco's non-traditional growth strategy. From convenience stores and college campuses to sports and entertainment venues, the brand has an established track record of bringing its street-style tacos to high-traffic environments where guests seek convenience and quality. Its partnership with Good 2 Go Eats, a convenience store chain with 75 locations, brought the first Rusty Taco C-store location to Ammon, Idaho, in 2023, followed by agreements for eight additional locations. Three Denver-area C-stores are open today, with four more set to open in early 2027. These locations run a reduced menu built around grab-and-go burritos for guests who want a quick, quality bite on the road.
The brand also has a presence at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, and served fans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for multiple seasons. This fall, Rusty Taco will add another non-traditional location with the opening of its first bowling alley spot at fellow Dallas-based brand Bowlski's. These locations demonstrate how Rusty Taco's concept can adapt to different environments while maintaining the same made-to-order menu and guest experience. Its flexible operating model also supports four dayparts – breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner – creating opportunities to serve guests throughout the day and meet the needs of various venues.
"Rusty Taco was built around a simple idea: serve fresh, flavorful ingredients in handcrafted street-style tacos, along with great hospitality," said Gonzalez. "That same approach gives us the flexibility to bring Rusty Taco to places that look very different from a traditional restaurant, and we see significant opportunity to continue growing in new and unexpected places."
With a growing portfolio of traditional and non-traditional locations, Rusty Taco is continuing to build its footprint while giving franchisees and partners new ways to bring the brand to new guests nationwide. For more information, visit www.rustytaco.com/franchise.
Founded in Dallas in 2010, Rusty Taco is a fast-casual neighborhood taco stand serving authentic street-style tacos made with fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and made-to-order preparation. Inspired by founder Rusty Fenton's vision of bringing people together over simple, high-quality food, the brand has grown to 28 locations across multiple states while remaining committed to genuine hospitality and community connection. In addition to its signature tacos, Rusty Taco offers breakfast tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas, handcrafted margaritas, local beer, and catering for gatherings of all sizes. By combining craveable food, an approachable atmosphere, and a passion for bringing neighbors together, Rusty Taco has become a favorite destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and celebrations. Learn more at RustyTaco.com.
