Orange City’s Taco John’s is under new ownership after local entrepreneur and Army veteran Eric Faber officially took over the restaurant on April 1.
Faber, who was raised in Ireton and now lives in Sioux Center, said the opportunity came unexpectedly when the restaurant’s previous owner approached him about purchasing the business. Faber, who owns Double Edge Construction in Sioux Center, says he has always enjoyed pursuing new challenges.
An Unexpected Opportunity
Faber says the idea of owning a fast-food restaurant was never part of his plans, especially since he had no previous experience in the restaurant industry.
“He came up to me and said, ‘I’m moving and I think you should buy this store,'” Faber recalled.
What began as a casual conversation eventually led to several meetings and a closer look at the business. Within a matter of months, Faber decided to move forward with the purchase and assumed ownership on April 1.
Military Service Shaped his Approach
Before becoming a business owner, Faber served eight years in the South Dakota National Guard, including six years of active service as a military police officer. During his time in the Guard, he participated in overseas training missions and worked alongside military and security personnel in Europe.
Faber says the military taught him lessons that continue to influence the way he approaches business ownership and leadership today.
“There’s a lot of things that you can carry over from military to civilian life,” Faber said. “It carried over a lot and it did help me grow as a person as well.”
Learning a New Industry
Although he has experience running a construction company, Faber said becoming a Taco John’s franchise owner required extensive training.
The process included trips to Minneapolis, classroom instruction, webinars, group meetings, and in-store training. Faber said he was required to learn every position in the restaurant before taking ownership.
The experience gave him a new appreciation for restaurant employees and the fast-paced environment in which they work each day.
“I have a newfound respect for those people that do work in the fast-food industry because it’s fast and furious back there,” Faber said.
Focused on Quality and Customer Experience
Since taking over the restaurant, Faber says he and his team have made several operational changes aimed at improving the customer experience.
Among those changes are preparing food more frequently throughout the day, emphasizing cleanliness, and focusing on customer service.
“We’re prepping less and more often so the food is fresher, the food has been better,” Faber said.
Faber also credited general managers Denny and Monica Rus, along with the restaurant staff, for helping make the transition successful. He says customer feedback has already highlighted improvements in food quality, cleanliness, and overall service.
Looking Ahead
While Taco John’s marks a new venture for Faber, he says he’s excited about the opportunity and the restaurant’s future in Orange City.
“From what I can tell in the early ongoings, it was worth it. It’s going really, really well and we’re excited for it,” Faber said.
Listen to the full conversation with Faber here.
