Great American Taco entering Ark.

A second location for chef and owner Pat Duran’s fast-casual restaurant Great American Taco Co. is scheduled to open this September in Bentonville, Ark.

Richard Vance, who was hired by Duran as a franchise consultant in March, said the restaurant is part of plans to add between three and five corporately owned and operated restaurants. The company is currently seeking a Springfield site for its third corporate location. He said Great American Taco also is 30-70 days away from signing franchise agreements that would bring the concept to four Midwestern states in 2017. He declined to disclose the number of franchise stores planned or identify the franchisees.

In Bentonville, Larry Snyder and Co. is serving as general contractor for the 3,700-square-foot restaurant, 500 SE Walton Blvd., designed by Jack Ball Associates & Architects PC. Vance said the restaurant would differ slightly from the Springfield location, lacking a drive-thru but adding on banquet and meeting room space. The second eatery also would feature a larger bar and patio, with total indoor seating capacity for 140.

“We’re around the hotels where a lot of people want something to do at night,” Vance said of the layout differences, declining to disclose the company’s investment in the new restaurant. “It’s more of a traveling crowd.”

In November, Duran – also head chef and owner of Metropolitan Grill – moved the Springfield taco restaurant to its current 3,000-square-foot home at 2915 E. Battlefield Road from 3120 E. Sunshine St. The company also changed its name from Springfield Gourmet Taco Co.

“I wanted to do something that could be for everybody and reach a broader audience,” Duran said yesterday. “Great American Taco Co. was something that didn’t need to be over-explained.”