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Du Quoin Taco Bell exceeds opening expectations

Du Quoin is the newest Southern Illinois location to have a Taco Bell, and if its opening week sales are any indication, the restaurant is here to stay.

"We exceeded our sales goals," said Mike Gomas, director of operations for Missouri Fiesta, owner of the franchise.

The Du Quoin location is the 21st store for franchise owner John Maroni of from Union, Mo.

"Taco Bell was offering incentives to have people open in locations that did not have a Taco Bell and were at least seven miles from other locations," said Jennifer Molitor, director of communications for the franchise.

Molitor said Du Quoin was good fit.

"It's growing," she said. "It's a good community with the a good population."

Coulterville native Bobbie Fenno is at the helm of the new location. Fenno has been with the company for 25 years.

"I'm happy to be back in my home area," she said.

Gomas and Molitor both said they are glad to be part of the community.

"We are just really excited," Molitor said. "We want to be involved in anything and everything we can. We're especially passionate about kids and want to help the schools."

The restaurant has 32 employees, a mixture of full-time and part-time, including several high school students and young adults.