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Current revision as of 04:12, 21 August 2007

The Blue Taco logo in the US and Canada as it has appeared since 1998.

Blue Taco is a Mexican food fast food chain across the US, Canada, and Mexico aswell as parts of Europe and Asia, with locations in 41 US states (excluding only Alaska, Hawaii, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia, and Rhode Island) the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Washington DC, and 28 Mexican states (excluding only Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Yucatan). Outside of North America, they operate in Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina in South America, the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal in Europe, and Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong in Asia, as well as as Australia and New Zealand. They have a total of about 10,000 locations worldwide, with most of them (about 7,500 locations) in the US and Mexico. It's headqaurters is in Fort Worth, Texas. It's primary competitor is Taco Raco.

History

Blue Taco was founded in 1972 by Dan Gregory Kingston Jr. of Frisco, Texas, who had been experimenting with food coloring and had found a way to dye tomatoes blue. He formed Blue Taco and advertised it based off the novelty of blue colored salsa. The restaruant quickly became a huge success, and became a chain that by 5 years after the first location opened had nearly 1,500 locations.

80s and the Deep-Fried Jalepeno Pepper

Blue Taco continued to rise in popularity through the 80s, and it was in the 80s that became the signature of the chain. Wanting something that could be eaten as a snack like a French Fry, the company created deep fried jalepeno peppers. Although it was thought that they would flop, when they debuted at several locations in New Mexico and western Texas, they were a success, becoming the icon of the chain. They were quickly spread across the country and into international locations. However, outside of Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico, they have never been very popular, but are available at all locations because of their status as the icon of the chain.

In the 80s, another signature of the chain, Blue Lemonade was introduced. In 1989, Dan Kingston stepped down from his position as the owner and manager of the entire chain

Trouble in the 90s

The King Taco logo as it appeared between 1995 and 1998.

The early 90s were some of the hardest times for Blue Taco. Several lawsuits and complaints began arriving, with health concerns raised over the blue salsa, and several lawsuits after people reported injurys and pain after eating deep fried jalepenos quickly like french fries or potato chips. Because of health concerns, sales began to slip, many locations closed, and many franchise owners stopped licensing the Blue Taco name, logo, and espiecally menu due to these concerns.

Blue Taco quickly took Blue Salsa off the market, but then brought it back 7 months later with a healthier formula. From 1994 on, all Blue Taco food now comes in packaging with large Spicyness warnings and includes a packet of Ranch Dressing and/or Sour Cream. Around this time they also launched a new advertising campaign. Sales began to increase and a new Blue Taco opened for the first time in almost five years in Late 1994.

In the 1998, Blue Taco purchased rival Mexican fast food chain King Taco, and at the same time unveiled a new corporate image and logo that would be used on boh old Blue Taco locations and King Taco locations. However, with the purchase of King Taco, and the re-branding and refurbishment of almost 2,000 locations from late 1998 to early 1999, Blue Taco in alot of debt. Eventually in 2000, Blue Taco was sold to the National Number One Restaruant Company of Dallas, Texas

Present Day

After the purchase, Blue Taco has continued to expand, including much more expansion in countries outside of the US and Mexico. The original Blue Taco in Fort Worth, Texas closed in 2001 and became a permanent exhibit about the history of the chain. After Dan Kingston's death in September 2005, his house in Fort Worth, right next door to the original Blue Taco was connected to the original restaruant and an additional area was added behind ther two buildings, and in 2006, the Blue Taco Museum opened. A new Blue Taco location (one of the largest in the world) also opened across the street from the musuem.

Menu

These are items available at most Blue Taco locations have, and the items listed on the website of the company. Other items may be available at some locations, and some items might not be available at all locations. Mild Side™ brand is for not spicy meals, BigOne™ brand is for the largest items on the menu, and RealGood™ brand is for normal size, normal spicyness Tacos and Burritos. XICE™ brand is for smoothies.

Snacks

• Deep Fried Jalepeno Peppers
• French Fries
• Onion Rings
• Mozzerala Sticks
• Mild Side™ Nachos
• Jalepeno Nachos

Sandwichs

• Mild Side™ Chicken Sandwich
• Buffalo Chicken Sandwhich
• Jalepeno Cheeseburger
• BigOne™ Chicken Sandwhich
• BigOne™ Buffalo Chicken Sandwhich

Tacos and Burritos

• Mild Side™ Taco
• Mild Side™ Burrito
• RealGood™ Taco
• RealGood™ Burrito
• RealGood™ Double Taco™
• BigOne™ Double Taco™
• BigOne™ Burrito 4 Two™

Breakfast

• Mild Side™ Ham-Egg-Cheese Sandwich
• Mild Side™ Bacon-Egg-Cheese Sandwhich
• Jalepeno Ham-Egg-Cheese Sandwich
• Jalepeno Bacon-Egg-Cheese Sandwich
• RealGood™ Sausge-Egg-Cheese Burrito
• RealGood™ Bacon-Egg-Cheese Burrito
• RealGood™ Sausge-Egg-Cheese Taco
• BigOne™ Sausge-Egg-Cheese Double Taco™
• BigOne™ Sausge-Egg-Cheese Burrito
• BigOne™ Bacon-Egg-Cheese Burrito
• Waffle Plater"

Drinks

• Coca-Cola soft drinks (Which available depends on location)
• Starbucks coffee
• Lemonade
• Blue Lemonade
• Pink Lemonade
• XICE™ Lemon Smoothie
• XICE™ Strawberry Smoothie
• XICE™ Pinapple Smoothie
• Water

Dessert

• Apple Pie
• Fudge Brownie
• Cheesecake
• Carrot Cake
• Signature Chocolate Cake
• Ice Cream/Sundaes

" = Only available as a side dish with any other breakfast item.