Trademark Forces Iguana Mexican Grill to Change 'Taco Tuesday'

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Patrons can still get $1 tacos every Tuesday at Iguana Mexican Grill in downtown Oklahoma City, but it will no longer be called "Taco Tuesday."

The restaurant has stopped using the phrase to describe its popular promotion because owners said another restaurant chain owns the rights to "Taco Tuesday."

A national chain called Taco John's has owned the trademark to the phrase since 1989 in every state but New Jersey, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.

Taco John's operates and franchises more than 400 restaurants in 25 states, according to its website. There are currently no Taco John's restaurants in Oklahoma, but the franchise can be found in every state that borders Oklahoma.

A spokeswoman for Taco John's said the company doesn't go online looking for trademark violators, but when it's brought to their attention, they have to take action.

"If we don't protect our trademark, the government can take it away from us," said Taco John's Vice President of Marketing Renee Middleton. "We're certainly following the discussions about Iguana online, but at this time we have no plans to go into the Oklahoma market."

On Tuesday, the owners of Iguana Mexican Grill tweeted, "We appreciate the support and hope that our supporters will not be negative toward anyone. This is a simple name change. We want to make it clear that we do not wish any ill will against anyone. We understand that we do not own the rights to the phrase."

Fans suggested new names for the promotion on the restaurant's Facebook page.

"Call it Taco Twos-day and sell two tacos for two dollars," one fan posted on Facebook.

Iguana Mexican Grill is located at 9 N.W. 9th Street in Oklahoma City.