KaTom Helps Taco Ranch Owners Open First Restaurant
Nayan and Danil Patel were new to the foodservice industry when they opened Taco Ranch. Coming from engineering backgrounds, they had experience running retail shops, but not restaurants. Still, when they saw a gap in the Pigeon Forge restaurant scene, they jumped on it. In the process, they found KaTom, minutes away and fully capable of partnering with their new concept.
When the father-son team opened Taco Ranch's doors in October 2024 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., they wanted to bring the city a taco-based concept missing amongst its vast array of eateries. Although Pigeon Forge has several Mexican establishments, Taco Ranch puts a different spin on the traditional taco.
Not Your Average Taco
"The only Mexican part about our restaurant is the tortilla," Danil Patel told KaTom. "The tortilla is like the vessel that holds all of the flavors. And when you look at our menu, you'll see that these tacos are global flavors."
Taco Ranch features a fusion concept that pairs a Western saloon aesthetic with cuisine from the Mediterranean, Korea, India, and more. Its menu includes 20 unique taco twists like Nashville hot chicken tacos, carne asada chimichurri tacos, and breakfast tacos served in waffle tortillas. This results in a simple menu with complex flavors that fulfills a growing demand for food unique to the area.
"There's so many hotels opening up, so many new attractions opening up in the city," Patel said. "But there's no taco restaurants."
When the Patels began planning their kitchen design, they wanted to create a full bar and an open kitchen concept that let patrons watch employees make their tacos from scratch using fresh tortillas and ingredients.
When they started researching kitchen equipment companies, they didn't know any by name, and as they continued to look, they saw one common aspect among every company: the supplier stopped at providing the equipment.
"You place your order, you get your equipment, and that's it," Patel said. "You never see them again."
A Partnership With KaTom
Nayan and Danil wanted a little more hands-on help, so they were thrilled when they learned KaTom's warehouse was only a few miles away from them. They met with Strategic Accounts Manager Turner Whaley, and he walked them through the process of finding what to order, how to order it, and how to get it installed.
Whaley helped the Patels find alternate equipment when their original options wouldn't arrive on time for their planned opening. He was also able to work out more affordable options so they could open when their October goal came around.
"There's hundreds and hundreds of pieces, from big kitchen equipment down to the little whisks and spoons," Patel said. "So there's always going to be snags."
One such snag occurred when a stand they had ordered for their margarita machine was delivered. It came a week before the opening day but was too large to fit under the counter as planned. After making some calls, picking up parts, and performing a weekend install, Whaley got the piece in on time.
Furthermore, KaTom's installation team had a three-day window to get all the equipment in. Despite having to share the space with employees during training just before the restaurant was set to open, the team met the tight deadline.
Whaley notes that even though KaTom is a national player in restaurant supply, it's important to focus on fostering relationships with their customers, not simply striving for the largest reach possible and treating clients like a number.
"We're able to have the perfect mix of ability and empathy," Whaley said.
Creating a Community
Nayan and Danil share that goal with Taco Ranch. Their focus is more than just finding a profitable niche in Pigeon Forge's market; they want to grow partnerships with the community and create a welcoming atmosphere for locals and tourists.
From the Crispy Avocado Taco to the Kicked Up PB&J Bacon Burger Taco, Taco Ranch's taco creations cover nearly every flavor imaginable. The Patels hope to keep diversifying their menu, continuing to create innovative flavors nestled in tortillas.
"They're crazy tacos." said Danil, "It's something you've never seen before but the feedback we've gotten is really, really great, and I love it. It makes my day."
