Taco John's Asks Customers to Eat Until It Helps

By: Taco John's | 23 Shares 371 Reads

Nachos Navidad ® returns for 12 th Year of Giving

November 19, 2007 // Franchising.com // CHEYENNE , WY – In its twelfth consecutive year, Taco John's will once again give back to its communities this holiday season. Extending the "Feliz Navidad" holiday message through its Nachos Navidad ® promotion, Taco John's continues to raise money for vital local causes.

A portion of the sales of Taco John's seasonal version of Super Nachos – Nachos Navidad ® – will benefit multiple local charities under the "Eat Until It Helps" campaign banner. Loyal customers anticipate the green- and red-colored chips every year, which are fried fresh daily at each location and then served with specially-seasoned beef and beans, nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, tomatoes, black olives, guacamole, and sour cream.

Donations are made at the local level and the Taco John's franchisees take a high degree of interest in this annual program. While it's difficult to track these local donations throughout the Taco John's system, cash donations have reached hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the program.

"The motivation behind Nachos Navidad ® has captured our hearts," said Barry Sims, President/CEO of Taco John's International, Inc. "We're proud of the campaign's legacy and especially proud of the generous manner in which our customers lend their support each year."

This charitable effort was spearheaded in the beginning by a North Dakota franchisee, Mike Sartwell , who tied in with the Cystic Fibrosis Association of North Dakota because of its help with the treatment of his daughter's illness. Taco John's implemented the program after Sartwell addressed the national Taco John's franchisee convention and shared his daughter's courageous story.

"Nachos Navidad® continues to grow every year. I'm always amazed at the generosity of our customers and the support that we see from the media," said Sartwell. "Because so many people and organizations get behind this cause, we've tripled our contributions over the lifespan of the program and give even greater exposure to the Cystic Fibrosis Association."

Charities involved in past years' Nachos Navidad ® promotion include: American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Cystic Fibrosis Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, American Red Cross, Special Olympics, the American Diabetes Association and some local schools and food banks.

"Both franchisees and customers look forward to the return of Nachos Navidad ® ," said Brian Dixon, vice president of marketing for Taco John's International, Inc. "It's a special opportunity and a privilege for the Taco John's family to help some incredible causes and give back to the local communities that surround our restaurants."

Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey also returns to promote the Nachos Navidad ® campaign. In the TV spot , Whiplash adorns a tree with lights , but based on his height limitations is only able to reach the branches that are under 3 feet high. Whiplash has been featured in Taco John's TV spots since Minneapolis ad agency , Kerker , introduced him as the Taco John's spokesmonkey in 2004. Both television and radio ads feature Grammy®-winning star Jose Feliciano singing a special customized version of his perennial holiday hit "Feliz Navidad." The TV spot can also be viewed at www.tacojohns.com .

The promotion begins November 19 and runs through December 30, 2007.

This year the new Taco John's Gift Cards will be sold at participating locations. This provides a new way for Taco John's customers to "solve" their cravings for Taco John's flavor-filled West-Mex ® food.

About Taco John's

Taco John's operates and franchises over 425 quick-service restaurants in 25 states. Independently owned and operated , the business opened its first restaurant in 1969. Taco John's prides itself on serving generous portions , menu items prepared fresh to your order , high quality ingredients , and special West-Mex ® recipes , seasonings and sauces. Through the end of 2006 , Taco John's achieved 11 consecutive years of same store sales increases.

About Kerker

Kerker is a full-service agency providing advertising, public relations, direct marketing and promotion, interactive, design and research for a broad range of local, national and global clients. Kerker clients include Taco John's, Johnsonville Sausage , Minnesota Zoo, Piper Jaffray, Pure Fishing, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., United Sugars, Roundy's Supermarkets, Bremer Financial Corp., Mall of America and the YMCA. For more information about Kerker, visit www.kerker.com . Kerker is a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world's largest network of independent marketing and communications firms.