reCONNECT 2025 | Operational Transformation: How Taco John's Adapts, Innovates & Stays True

What does it take to modernize restaurant operations without jeopardizing your brand's identity? As the food industry faces increasing pressure to move faster, stay compliant, and deliver consistent guest experiences, operators are rethinking their approach, even if it means cooking something new up from scratch.

Running a restaurant chain today means solving for more than just what’s on the menu. From supply chain delays to rising labor costs, staying competitive in foodservice takes more than great food. It takes operational systems that are flexible, fast, and consistent across every location.

In this Day One session of Virtual reCONNECT 2025, Brando Tijerina — Director of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Commercialization at Taco John’s — will join Trustwell VP of Marketing Lydia Adams for a moderated discussion about what operational transformation really looks like on the ground.

Read More: How Taco John's Elevates Traceability & Food Safety for its 400+ Locations 

Brando oversees food safety and quality across the Taco John’s system, and he brings a unique blend of culinary and technical expertise to the role.

With a background that spans culinary arts, food science, and commercialization, he’s built systems that support speed and scale without losing the flavor or experience Taco John’s is known for.  

He’ll walk through how his team approaches process improvement, including where to focus first, how to keep teams engaged, and what data actually matters when it’s time to measure progress, with a behind-the-scenes look at:

• How Taco John’s balances innovation with operational discipline
• How the team uses shift huddles, visual tools, and line checks to drive daily improvement
• What Taco John’s looks for when deciding which ideas to scale

Instead of chasing trends or layering on complexity, Taco John’s focuses on getting the basics right: build accuracy, kitchen flow, and prep timing. This steady approach has helped the team improve consistency, run smarter product tests, and create better guest experiences without overloading the operation. If you’re leading food safety, operations, or quality in a multi-unit foodservice environment, this is a can’t-miss session filled with practical takeaways.

Join Us for Virtual reCONNECT 2025: The Connected Future of the Food Industry