Taco Bell has announced a significant change to National Taco Day, ensuring it will now always occur on a Taco Tuesday.
This decision follows the recent lifting of legal restrictions on the use of the “Taco Tuesday” phrase, allowing for a permanent alignment with the beloved weekly tradition.
The collaboration between Taco Bell and the National Day Calendar aims to establish National Taco Day on the first Tuesday of October each year. Previously, this holiday was celebrated on October 4, but it will now be officially recognized on October 1, starting this year.
The “Taco Tuesday” trademark was originally held by Taco John’s.
However, in July 2023, Taco John’s relinquished the trademark amid disputes over its ownership. Earlier that year, Taco Bell launched an online petition advocating for the release of the “Taco Tuesday” trademark so that all restaurants could use it freely.
Marlo Anderson, founder of the National Day Calendar, expressed excitement about this change. “For years, we’ve celebrated National Taco Day on October 4th, but it always felt like there was a bigger opportunity to align it with something even more special—Taco Tuesday,” he stated. “Thanks to Taco Bell’s efforts, we’re thrilled to officially move National Taco Day to the first Tuesday in October.”
This change means that taco lovers can now celebrate National Taco Day on October 1 this year. Taylor Montgomery, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Bell, noted that fans had often questioned why National Taco Day did not consistently fall on a Tuesday. “It felt unnatural for it not to fall on a Tuesday,” she said. “As advocates of Taco Tuesday, we knew we had to help shift the holiday permanently.”
To celebrate this new date, Taco Bell plans to host special promotions throughout October. Montgomery hinted at upcoming announcements regarding taco deals for fans.
The history of National Taco Day dates back to the 1960s in San Antonio, Texas. However, it wasn’t until 2009 that October 4 was designated as the official day of celebration. Since then, only four instances have aligned National Taco Day with a Tuesday.
With this new arrangement, taco enthusiasts can look forward to celebrating their favorite food on a day that honors its cultural significance while enjoying special promotions from Taco Bell every year going forward.