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Taco John’s International, Inc. records, 1968-2018

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Taco John’s International, Inc.
Title
Taco John’s International, Inc. records
Dates
1968-2018 (inclusive)
Quantity
54.66 cubic ft. (112 boxes) + 64.50 GB
Collection Number
11452
Summary
Marketing and advertising materials; interior and exterior store design concept drawings; newsletters; photographs; and general office files of this fast-food Mexican restaurant chain founded in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

Material of a public nature, such as photographs, newspaper clippings, and advertising materials, are unrestricted. All other records less than 25 years old are restricted from researchers unless approved in writing by Taco John’s.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

In April 1968, John K. Turner opened a small taco stand in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The “Taco House,” the first fast food taco restaurant in Cheyenne, was an instant success because of the unique seasonings used in its tacos and burritos. Turner then added three more restaurants in Cheyenne and in 1969, arranged for Jim Woodson and Harold Holmes to sell franchises. Turner’s original idea was to develop a mom-and-pop operation so that an average couple with little money could own a business and make above-average income. Woodson and Holmes changed the name to “Taco John’s” in honor of Turner. The first restaurants were brightly colored modular buildings that were manufactured in Cheyenne and trucked to their sites. In 1985, Turner sold the Taco John’s trademark, recipes, and distribution rights to Woodson/Holmes Enterprises, Inc., a predecessor of Taco John’s International. Taco John’s is still headquartered in Cheyenne. It operates and franchises more than 400 restaurants in 27 states.

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Content Description

General files include company history, oral histories with company founders Jim Woodson and Harold Holmes, and unit directories listing owners and their units. Internal publications and communications consist of various newsletters and weekly informational mailings sent to franchise owners and managers. These mailings, with indexes to topics and departments, consist of newsletters, memos, marketing materials, product guides, and directories. Marketing and advertising materials contain clip art, commercials, menus, ad slicks, logos, information on promotions, "T.J. & Pepe" cartoon strips, and trademark guidelines. Photographs include stores, building designs, signage, promotional items, memorabilia, and uniforms. There are also interior and exterior design concept drawings and a small number of artifacts.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

Taco John’s International, Inc. retains all copyrights it owns in the material, as provided by law. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Taco John’s International, Inc. records, 1968-2014, Collection Number 11452, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Taco John’s International, Inc. at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Taco John’s International, Inc. donated their records to the American Heritage Center from 2005-2019.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Ronda Frazier in October 2005 and updated by Jamie Greene in December 2015, February 2017, and May 2021.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Chain restaurants.
  • Fast food restaurants--Marketing.
  • Fast food restaurants.
  • Franchises (Retail trade).

Personal Names

  • Holmes, Harold W.
  • Turner, John Kenyon, 1931-2004.
  • Woodson, J. F.

Geographical Names

  • Wyoming--History--1946-1999.
  • Wyoming--History--2000-

Form or Genre Terms

  • Advertising campaigns.
  • Audio cassettes.
  • Directories.
  • Newsletters.
  • Oral history.

Processed by Ronda Frazier and Jamie J. Greene
2006; 2015

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

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