Lebron James Joins Taco Bell in the Fight to Free Taco Tuesday

Who wants to talk tacos!? Ok, good, “taco bleep” or “Taco Tuesday” is one of the catchiest and most fun phrases in the food world (say that 5 times fast). I mean, who doesn’t love waking up Tuesday morning knowing that tacos are on the menu, am I right? But did you know that only two companies can actually use “Taco Tuesday” to promote their tacos in the US due to the fact it’s a registered trademark? That’s right, Taco Johns, a fast food restaurant chain in Wyoming, has owned the federal trademark registrations to the phrase in 49 states since 1989, and Gregory’s Bar has owned the trademark since 1982 in New Jersey. And let me tell you, Taco Johns has been pretty protective of their interests, sending out cease and desist letters left and right to anyone who tries to use the phrase.

Sounds lame right? Well, being part of the taco community, we are not the only ones who think so. The global icon, Lebron James and his 4 championship rings, is all about Taco Tuesdays too. But even Lebron James got turned away by the US Patent and Trademark Office when he tried to buy the patent in 2019.

But fear not, because Taco Bell is leading the charge to free the simple words, Taco Tuesday! They’re currently in a legal battle with Taco Johns, and Lebron James has teamed up with them to fight back against the patent and free the fantastic phrase from its Taco John shackles. It’s an uphill battle, to be sure, but Taco Bell claims it’s been too long and that the saying deserves to see the light of day. They hope to get the catchphrase suspended by the US Patent and Trademark Office and make it available to all who wish to celebrate tacos. Now, this isn’t the first time there have been trademark disputes in the fast-food industry. Oh no, my friends. This is a cultural phenomenon. There have been many notable cases over the years, such as McDonald’s Vs Supermac’s over the use of “Mc,” In-N-Out vs Smashburger over the term “Triple Double,” and the the list goes on and on, but even though Taco Bell may have a very small chance of winning, I think it’s still worth the fight.

Something that Lebron and Taco Bell might not have expected though is all the publicity they’re actually giving Taco Johns. I mean I never heard of them until I wrote this, what about you? Regardless, Taco Johns is now capitalizing on the extra exposure and are now offering promotions for their “special Taco Tuesday deal” of 2 tacos for $2 until May 31, talk about rubbing hot sauce in the wounds.

So if you want to free Taco Tuesday for everyone, especially small businesses like mom and pop taco joints, grab your hot sauces, rep your Lebron jersey, DO NOT search Taco Johns on Google and shout from the rooftops “Free Taco Tuesday” because I say let there be tacos every day of the week, but especially on Tuesdays!