Daughter of founder Jim “Jimboy” Knudson helped guide family-run taco chain for decades from its Folsom headquarters
FOLSOM — Jimboy’s Tacos, the longtime family-owned restaurant chain headquartered in Folsom, announced the passing of company President Karen Knudson-Freeman, the daughter of founder Jim “Jimboy” Knudson and mother of current CEO Erik Freeman.
Knudson-Freeman died peacefully April 20, 2026 while surrounded by members of her family. She was 68. The company did not disclose the cause of her passing or funeral plans at this time.
According to the company, Knudson-Freeman had been involved in the family business from a very young age and dedicated much of her life to helping grow and shape the brand that began more than 70 years ago in Lake Tahoe. Over the years, she served in numerous leadership roles within the company, including vice president, president and CEO of Jimboy’s Tacos.
The company said Knudson-Freeman remained heavily involved in quality control and menu item development up until the last year and a half while dealing with health-related issues.
“Karen was a remarkable person who had a deep love and faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” said Erik Freeman, CEO of Jimboy’s Tacos. “That faith, love and grace was an inspiration and could be felt by everyone who truly knew her, and even by those who simply met her. To know her, was to love her. Karen is greatly missed, our loss is beyond words. We are grateful for all the time we had with her, the memories we shared, and the love and lessons she taught us through how she lived her life.”
The company credited Knudson-Freeman with helping develop new recipes and menu items in recent years, particularly through research and development efforts. Her latest creation was the Chili Burrito, inspired by her parents’ World Winning Chili recipe.
According to the company, Knudson-Freeman often used one key standard when evaluating potential additions to the menu: “is it craveable?” The phrase stemmed from the same philosophy behind the Original Ground Beef Taco™, the signature Parmesan-dusted taco created by her father that became the cornerstone of the brand.
Jimboy’s Tacos said the phrase will continue serving as a guiding motto for the company moving forward.
Founded in 1954, Jimboy’s Tacos began as a small food trailer alongside Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe, where founder Jim “Jimboy” Knudson first introduced the Original Ground Beef Taco™ dusted with Parmesan cheese. Four years later, the company established a permanent location nearby in Tahoe following growing popularity and support from the local community.
In 1968, the company expanded beyond the Tahoe region through franchising, becoming one of the early franchise restaurant concepts in the nation. The company has since grown to nearly 40 locations throughout California and Nevada, including locations across Northern California and the Tahoe-Reno region.
After Jim and his wife retired in 1983, leadership of the family business passed to their son Scott Knudson. In 2010, Karen Knudson-Freeman succeeded her brother as president of the company. Her son, Erik Freeman, became CEO of the family-operated chain in 2019.
In 2024, Jimboy’s Tacos celebrated its 70th anniversary, marking more than seven decades of serving tacos made with fresh ingredients and its signature liberal coating of grated Parmesan cheese.
Today, the company’s corporate headquarters are based in Folsom. More information about the company is available at JimboysTacos.com.
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