Rusty Taco is pushing beyond traditional restaurant locations, expanding its national presence through airports, convenience stores, and other non-traditional venues. The Dallas-based fast-casual chain is set to open new locations at Washington Dulles International Airport and Norfolk International Airport this fall, along with a spot inside Bowlski's in Dallas. This move underscores how flexible restaurant concepts can thrive in high-traffic environments and signals a broader shift in the fast-casual sector toward capturing customers on the go.
The airport expansions are a key part of Rusty Taco's national development strategy. A new location at Norfolk International Airport is scheduled to open toward the end of November, growing the brand's presence among East Coast travelers. Shortly after, in November, Rusty Taco will open its second location at Washington Dulles International Airport in Concourse E. That opening builds on the brand's first Dulles location, which debuted in Concourse D in 2023, through a partnership with Affinity LLC, an experienced foodservice operator at the airport. The addition of a second Dulles location demonstrates the brand's popularity and its ability to grow within 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."
Beyond airports, Rusty Taco has built a track record of bringing its street-style tacos to convenience stores, college campuses, and sports and entertainment venues. Its partnership with Good 2 Go Eats, a convenience store chain with 75 locations, launched the first Rusty Taco C-store in Ammon, Idaho, in 2023, followed by agreements for eight additional locations. Three Denver-area C-stores are currently open, with four more planned for early 2027. These locations feature a reduced menu centered on grab-and-go burritos for customers seeking a quick, quality bite.
The brand also operates 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 its first bowling alley location at fellow Dallas-based brand Bowlski's. These diverse venues highlight how Rusty Taco's concept can adapt 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.
"Rusty Taco was built around a simple idea: serve fresh, flavorful ingredients in handcrafted street-style tacos, along with great hospitality," Gonzalez said. "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 expanding its footprint while offering franchisees and partners new ways to bring the brand to guests nationwide. For more information, visit www.rustytaco.com/franchise.
