Taco John’s, the original owner of the trademark phrase “Taco Tuesday,” has decided to stop its fight against Taco Bell and other entities using the popular saying to celebrate the day. It has held the mark for over 40 years.

"We've always prided ourselves on being the home of Taco Tuesday, but paying millions of dollars to lawyers to defend our mark just doesn't feel like the right thing to do," said Taco John's CEO Jim Creel. "As we've said before, we're lovers, not fighters, at Taco John's. So in that spirit, we have decided to begin sharing Taco Tuesday with a pledge to contribute $100 per location in our system to restaurant employees with children who are battling a health crisis, death or natural disaster. And we're challenging our litigious competitors and other taco-loving brands to join us in supporting the people who serve our favorite food to guests across the nation."

The quick-service taco chain will begin its giving by donating $40,000 to the non-profit organization CORE (Children of Restaurant Workers), which offers financial assistance for families dealing with issues like natural disaster or other critical life events. Taco John’s is also challenging Taco Bell and other restaurants like Del Taco and Taco Bueno to donate to CORE.

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