Taco Bell giving away free tacos for a month after winning ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark battle
Taco Bell will give away free tacos every Tuesday for a month after winning its cheesy battle over the “Taco Tuesday” trademark.
Now that it’s the belle of the taco ball, Taco Bell will give customers one free Doritos Locos taco on Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Sept. 5 and Sept. 12. No other purchases are necessary.
“When tacos win, we all win,” Taco Bell chief marketing officer Taylor Montgomery said Tuesday in a statement.
The chain also announced a promotion in which it will pay for customers’ tacos at other participating Mexican-inspired restaurants across the country on Sept. 12. The promotion does not apply in New Jersey.
“Taco Tuesday belongs to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos, and this Free-For-All will not only thank taco fans who supported the cause, but will also spotlight local restaurants and vendors who can now embrace Taco Tuesdays without fear of legal action,” Montgomery said.
In May, Taco Bell petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to remove the “Taco Tuesday” trademark from Taco John’s, a Wyoming-based competitor which held the trademark in 49 states. Taco Bell did not seek to take the trademark for itself but instead sought to end any trademark of the phrase.
Taco John’s voluntarily gave up the trademark in July, making a $40,000 donation to the charity Children of Restaurant Employees. Taco Bell matched the donation.
In New Jersey, Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point owns the “Taco Tuesday” trademark. The owner, Gregory Gregory, said he has no plans to give it up.
By Joseph Wilkinson