Rusty Taco, the Dallas-based fast-casual chain known for its made-to-order street-style tacos, is accelerating its national expansion by opening restaurants in airports, convenience stores, and other non-traditional venues. The company announced that it will open new locations at Washington Dulles International Airport and Norfolk International Airport this fall, along with an upcoming spot inside Bowlski's, a bowling alley in Dallas. These moves underscore how Rusty Taco's adaptable concept can thrive in high-traffic environments beyond traditional restaurant settings.
The next phase of Rusty Taco's airport growth begins with a new location at Norfolk International Airport toward the end of November, strengthening its presence among East Coast travelers. The opening reinforces airports as a key component of the brand's national development strategy. In November, Rusty Taco will also open its second location at Washington Dulles International Airport in Concourse E, building on its first location that opened in Concourse D in 2023. This expansion is in partnership with Affinity LLC, an experienced foodservice operator with a long-standing presence at Dulles. The addition of a second Rusty Taco at one of the country's major travel hubs demonstrates the brand's popularity and its ability to grow in high-volume airport settings.
"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."
Beyond airports, Rusty Taco is making strides in convenience stores and entertainment venues. 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 currently open, with four more set to open in early 2027. These locations feature a reduced menu centered on grab-and-go burritos for guests seeking 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 has served fans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for multiple seasons. This fall, Rusty Taco will add another non-traditional location with its first bowling alley spot at fellow Dallas-based brand Bowlski's.
These locations highlight 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 supports four dayparts – breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner – creating opportunities to serve guests throughout the day and meet the needs of a variety of venues.
"Rusty Taco was built around a simple idea: serve fresh, flavorful ingredients in handcrafted street-style tacos, along with great hospitality," Gonzalez added. "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.
