Taco Bell Wins ‘Taco Tuesday’ Legal Battle

The white flag of surrender has officially been draped over the Taco John’s marquee as the legal dispute over the chain restaurant’s “Taco Tuesday” trademark has come to a close.

Earlier this year, Taco Bell filed a petition against Taco John’s, claiming the phrase “Taco Tuesday” is generic and, as such, should be of free use to any purveyor of tacos. Since 1989, Taco John’s has held the trademark of “Taco Tuesday” in every state except New Jersey, where the trademark belongs to Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar.

Jim Creel, chief executive of Taco John’s and their 400 restaurants spanning over 20 states, revealed that it would cost upward of $1 million dollars to defend the trademark against Taco Bell.

“It’s just not worth the amount of money it would take to defend it,” Creel told the Wall Street Journal. “We’d rather take that money and put it toward a good cause.” And that’s exactly what Creel plans to do: Taco John’s has pledged $40,000 toward the Children of Restaurant Employees, a nonprofit organization that helps support restaurant workers with children.

While Taco John’s has backed down from the petition, Gregory’s has stated they will be defending their trademark against Taco Bell in the state of New Jersey.

Guess I can legally say to you, Happy Taco Tuesday.