Velvet Taco on Broadway in Nashville / Photo: Velvet Taco

FAYETTEVILLE — Dallas-based Velvet Taco plans to expand into Fayetteville.

Site drawings were recently submitted to city planners which show a proposed Velvet Taco restaurant on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The plans, produced by the Atwell Group in Texas, include a 2,200-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru lane and associated parking at the southeast corner of Beechwood Avenue.

The site is mostly undeveloped, but includes a small building to the east next to Take 5 Oil Change. The restaurant would have access from MLK across from Zaxby’s and King Burrito. The site is also about 150 feet west of Torchy’s Tacos.

Southeast corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Beechwood Avenue in Fayetteville.

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

A representative for the company confirmed that Velvet Taco officials are indeed exploring an expansion into Fayetteville, and are targeting an early 2023 opening.

“We believe that Fayetteville is an amazing city with entertainment, culture and diversity and is a great fit for the Velvet Taco brand,” according to a statement provided to the Flyer. “We are actively participating in conversations about site specifics and therefore cannot confirm any other details at this time.”

Velvet Taco currently operates in over 30 locations in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The fast-casual restaurant specializes in a variety of meat and vegetarian tacos made from fresh ingredients. Online menus also show several side items and red velvet cake, along with margaritas and other tequila-based beverages.

The 10-year old company in November announced it had received a significant investment after doubling its footprint over the previous two years. Officials said the plan is to expand to over 40 locations by the end of 2022.