Arizona Dave’s closed down; Taco del Mar pledges return

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Taco del Mar could return to Maricopa after a series of events that led to the closure of the Mexican food restaurant and the Arizona Dave’s restaurant that briefly replaced it at 21101 N. John Wayne Pkwy., Suite E105.

Maricopa’s original Taco del Mar franchisee, Kim Hoffman, sold the restaurant to local real estate agent Dave Zaiser this fall. Zaiser ran the Taco del Mar franchise for several weeks before converting it to a restaurant called Arizona Dave’s, serving hot dogs and barbeque.

According to Taco del Mar Area Developer David Moore, Zaiser’s termination of his franchise agreement was a violation of the lease with landlord Barclay Group, leading to the abrubt closing of Arizona Dave’s.

“The lease said that no name change or business change is permitted without the approval of the landlord,” Moore said.

Barclay Group placed Arizona Dave’s in default, forcing Zaiser to close the new business shortly after it opened.

Moore said, “We had a very naive franchise owner who decided to invent their own concept.”

Zaiser did not respond to multiple calls seeking comment.

Moore said his company will decline ownership if Zaiser attempts to reopen, but Moore is attempting to re-acquire the location and equipment from Zaiser and open again as Taco del Mar. Moore has set a deadline of Friday for an agreement with Zaiser. If an agreement is made, Taco del Mar could reopen within two months.

“I have a good relationship with Barclay, and I would like to stay there,” Moore said.

Moore has three alternative locations in mind and is accepting applications for a new franchisee.

“Maricopa is a good location for this franchise, and we will definitely be back,” he said.

Photo by Katie Winkley