Full List of Taco Bell Restaurants Giving Away Free Tacos!
In case you missed it, Taco John’s Restaurants owned the copyright on the phrase “Taco Tuesday” until they announced last year that they were giving up the fight, which would allow anyone to use the term without fear of legal headaches.
While Taco Johns patented the catchphrase, Taco Bell argued “Taco Tuesday” is a common phrase every restaurant should be able to use.
In May, Taco Bell filed a petition with the US Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the trademark owned by rival Taco John’s. A battle over the phrase ensued, with Taco Bell — and the free world — winning.
The Road to Freeing Taco Tuesday
In May 2023, Taco Bell took a bold step on behalf of taco lovers nationwide by filing legal petitions to cancel the two Taco Tuesday trademark registrations. The aim was simple: to free the phrase for restaurants nationwide. The message was clear: Taco Tuesday belongs to everyone, from Taco Bell to Taco John’s to your favorite local taco spot.In late July, Taco John’s courageously decided to abandon its Taco Tuesday trademark registration. Not only did Taco John’s act benefit thousands of businesses across 49 states by making the term Taco Tuesday more freely available, Taco John’s also made a meaningful donation to Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) for $40,000, which the Taco Bell Foundation has matched.
Why Not New Jersey?!
“Taco Tuesday” is no longer a trademark registration in all states except New Jersey. Therefore, the DoorDash offer will be limited to the 49 states where Taco Tuesday has been freed.
Full List of Restaurants Offering Free Tacos on Taco Tuesday
To celebrate its victory, Taco Bell is giving away free tacos! And, you don’t even have to get the tacos at Taco Bell!!
“Because now that Taco Tuesday is free* – your tacos should be, too,” Taco Bell said in its press release.
However, according to the press release, New Jersey residents cannot get the Door Dash deal on Tuesday, Sept. 12. They can, conversely, get free tacos every Tuesday from mid-August to the day after Labor day, at Taco Bell.
Irvine, Calif. (August 8, 2023) – To celebrate the liberation of the Taco Tuesday trademark registration in 49 states, and to support and spotlight restaurants who now have the right to freely use Taco Tuesday, Taco Bell has announced that on Tuesday, September 12, Taco Tuesday fans (nearly) everywhere* can celebrate Taco Tuesday (nearly) anywhere – and Taco Bell will help pay for it.
On Taco Tuesday, September 12, Taco Bell, in partnership with DoorDash, is opening a $5 million taco tab to cover a portion of taco fans’ orders from any participating vendor selling Mexican cuisine. Because now that Taco Tuesday is free* – your tacos should be, too.
Leading up to the September 12 celebration, all Taco Bell locations will be offering a free Doritos® Locos Taco every Tuesday, no purchase necessary, on 8/15, 8/22, 8/29 and 9/5**.
“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,” said Taco Bell U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery. “When tacos win, we all win. We all win when Taco John’s decides to release its trademark registration, we all win when taco vendors everywhere are free to join the movement, and we all win when taco fans can freely celebrate and support Taco Tuesdays at Taco Bell or anywhere else.”
*The Taco Tuesday trademark registration has been canceled in all states except New Jersey. Therefore, the DoorDash offer will be limited to the 49 states where Taco Tuesday has been freed.
**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Offer valid on Tuesdays 8/15, 8/22, 8/29, and 9/5 only during local store operating hours while supplies last. Limit one (1) regular Free Seasoned Beef Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos per person, per offer day, available at participating U.S. Taco Bell® locations only. Not available with delivery orders unless placed directly on the Taco Bell app (delivery fees, taxes and tip apply). App and web orders require inputting offer code and customer must add a DLT to their cart. Not valid with any other offer. No substitutions. No cash value. Void where prohibited. Terms: ta.co/terms.
How and When Can You Get Free Taco Tuesday?
Leading up to the event, Taco Bell will offer a free Doritos Locos Taco on Tuesdays (August 15, 22, 29, and September 5). New Jersey residents can still cash in on this offer, according to Taco Bell.
- Tuesday, August 15
- Tuesday, August 22
- Tuesday, August 29
- Tuesday, September 5
Then, on Tuesday, September 12, Taco Bell is partnering with Door Dash to cover a portion of orders from participating Mexican food vendors – they do not have to be Taco Bell restaurants!
