Image of Spencer Platt/Getty
Image of Spencer Platt/Getty
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” is now free to use after a taco restaurant chain dropped its trademark on the popular phrase.
Taco John’s has held the trademark since 1989, in all states of the United States except New Jersey. Taco Bell has filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office to have it reversed, arguing that no one has the right to a generic phrase.
In a statement released Tuesday, Taco John’s acknowledged and said they were “lovers, not warriors.”
“We’ve always been proud to be the home of Taco Tuesday, but paying millions of dollars to lawyers to protect our brand doesn’t feel like that,” said Jim Creel, CEO of Taco John. respectable”.
“Best Taco Tuesday ever…for now,” Taco Bell tweeted.
Gregory Hotel, Inc. holds the “Taco Tuesday” trademark in New Jersey.
Taco John’s is asking Taco Bell to contribute $100 per restaurant to the nonprofit Children of Restaurant Employees, or CORE.
“Taco Tuesday would not be possible without the people in the service industry who are behind the scenes, making tacos for all of us to enjoy,” it said.
Taco John’s has about 400 locations in 23 states, while Taco Bell has more than 7,200 locations in the US and about 1,000 restaurants in 30 countries worldwide.
NBA superstar LeBron James requested to trademark Taco on Tuesday, 2019, but was denied and has since appeared in a Taco Bell advertisement advocating the popular use of the phrase.
Taco John’s, which censored James’ name in its press release, also urged him to donate the money he received from being a Taco Bell spokesperson for CORE.
