Archives West Finding Aid

Series I, General Files, contains a small number of general announcement type internal memos from the corporate office to franchisees and managers; convention programs with agendas, attendance lists, and reminders; unit directories listing TJI staff and franchise owners and their units; copies of scrapbook pages; and oral histories with founders Harold Holmes and Jim Woodson. The oral histories describe how each man met John Turner and how each got started in the company, their personal backgrounds, obstacles and successes they’ve faced over the years, and general company history. Harold Holmes describes the planes he flew, how he built the first Taco John’s buildings, seasonings used in the food, business climate changes affecting the restaurant, and the Taco Bravo® product. Jim Woodson describes his background in real estate, the first restaurants and how the idea of franchising came about, flying with Holmes to look at potential restaurant sites, and the story behind Potato Olés.

Series II, Internal Publications/Communications, contains publications and informational mailings sent out to franchise owners and managers. Newsletters Taco Talk and Taco Topics were monthly publications for franchisees. Taco John’s Update contained business information with separate issues for owners and managers. Taco Techniques combined departmental information, updates, and bulletins into one monthly publication. Taco Weekly was a weekly digest of pertinent information. Weekly mailings, with indexes to topics and departments, consisted of newsletters, memos, marketing materials, product guides, directories, and the Taco Weekly digest. Lastly, there are “Crisis Management Manuals” which were guides for employees on how to handle various crises (violence, injuries, fires, etc.) that might occur in their restaurant or community.

Series III, Marketing/Advertising, contains ad slicks and clip art and used for newspaper ads and other point of purchase materials, commercials, menus, logos, information on various promotions, copies of “T.J. & Pepe” cartoon strips, and trademark guidelines.

Series IV, Photographs, includes photos of stores, building designs, signage, cups and other promotional items, memorabilia, uniforms, Harold Holmes and Jim Woodson, and snapshots taken at various public events held in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Series V, Artifacts, contains a luggage tag, tie tack, shirts, jackets, a teddy bear, drink and food holders, a soap bar with the original building and logo pictured, and other Taco John's ephemera.

The oversized materials in series VI are artwork, a photograph of Jim Woodson and Harold Holmes and their wives, lobby posters, interior and exterior design concept drawings, and display boards picturing individual store remodels with cost information.

Series VII, Restricted, contains records less than 25 years old that are restricted from researchers unless approved in writing by Taco John’s.