Source: Flickr User meandmybadself
It's been all about the beef this year for Taco Bell, who's come out on top in the midst of a false-advertising lawsuit that objected to the chain's "seasoned beef." But yesterday, the lawsuit was dropped, and now the chain's gotten all haughty about it, launching an ad campaign demanding an apology from Beasley Allen, the firm behind the lawsuit. "Would it kill you to say you're sorry?" the headline reads.
We'd feel sorry for Taco Bell if it were really a victim here, but the truth is the fast food chain's been milking this media frenzy for all it's worth. Sure, it spent money defending its beef with a free taco giveaway, but then it took the opportunity to launch its "Thank you for suing us" campaign — and managed to end March with the biggest gain in consumer perception of any fast food chain. With the lawsuit withdrawn, Taco Bell's come out on top. Any more huffing and puffing signals that the chain's simply taken things to a ridiculously exploitative level.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm totally over the saga of the Taco Bell suit. Are you on the same page? Who do you side with?
Remember that little Taco Bell lawsuit everyone was talking about? The one where a woman was suing the Tex-Mex chain for falsely advertising its "seasoned beef?" Well, the firm behind the suit has withdrawn its claims.
After the lawsuit hit the food world in January, Taco Bell went to extreme measures to stand behind its beef, spending between $3-4 million in advertising to counter the allegations made against the chain.
No money has been exchanged between Taco Bell and the firm; also, the Bell maintains no products have changed since the incident.
In response to the withdrawal, Taco Bell CEO Greg Creed said, "This sets the record straight about the high quality of our seasoned beef and the integrity of our advertising." Considering that I'm still craving a Taco Bell beef taco after all of this, it looks like the fast food chain came out on top.
Source: Flickr User quinn.anya
First there was the Lobster & Seafood Chopped Salad Sub at Quiznos. Then came Taco Bell's Pacific Shrimp, and now Wendy's has its own version of a fish fillet sandwich. Three's a trend, and we've officially called it for seafood in fast food and fast-casual establishments.
Seafood's never been as popular the in world of fast food as, say, a burger or fried chicken items. Presumably, this is because the taste of seafood never lies when the stuff is anything short of fresh. Yet call me crazy, because I've always sort of secretly liked the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish, and the new seafood sandwich at Quiznos really surprised me in a good way. What's your take?
In an attempt to bounce back from earlier challenges this year, Taco Bell's launched its new Pacific Shrimp Taco and Pacific Shrimp Burrito, just in time for Lent. Both are made with soft flour tortillas, creamy avocado ranch, fiesta salsa, lettuce, and "six succulent shrimp, marinated in spices."
Seeking out shellfish at fast-food establishments can be a questionable endeavor, so we ask: was TB's Pacific Shrimp small on flavor? To find out the answer, check out a full review of both new menu items at Slashfood.
Although we're only two months into the year, it looks like the Taco Bell beef scandal is shaping up to be one of the top stories of 2011. The latest in the ongoing saga that started with a woman suing the chain for falsely labeling its "seasoned beef"? Another deal! It seems that giving away 1 million free tacos isn't enough to convince consumers its beef is the real thing. Now it's also discounting the pricey crunchwrap supreme.
From today until March 5, Bell fans can enjoy a crunchy beef quesadilla for just 88 cents (originally they are $2.39). The campaign is supported by a series of ads that feature real Taco Bell employees promoting the beef. The crazy thing is all this Taco Bell news has got me craving my high-school order: a beef double decker taco. Will you take the Tex-Mex eatery up on its offer?
Taco Bell, it seems, is not done defending its beef tacos. After being sued by a woman who claimed the chain's beef tacos, which contain only 15 percent protein, were falsely advertised, the Tex-Mex eatery took out full page advertisements in major publications to explain the truth behind its seasoned beef. Today, Taco Bell has taken it one step further by announcing the world's largest taco giveaway.
The company plans to thank Facebook fans for their support throughout the ordeal by giving away 10 million free beef tacos. To get a free taco, all you have to do is "like" Taco Bell on Facebook, then you'll be granted access to print a coupon for the taco. Although I haven't had Taco Bell in years, all this taco talk has made me crave the fast food joint's crunchy, meaty tacos. Perhaps I will take them up on the offer. How about you? Will you get a free beef taco?
Source: Flickr User i_hate_u
Babies are consuming fast food in their car seats. Forty-four percent of LilSugar moms say that their tots tasted fast food by the time they were 1. Despite the Food Revolution and expert advice, parents still pull up to drive thru windows to purchase meals for their families — despite the fact that the proteins aren't always the meat they appear to be. One report said:
Kantha Shelke, chief science officer of Corvus Blue LLC, a Chicago food science and nutrition research firm, says it's frankly impossible for a consumer to know how much meat is in a food item at Taco Bell, McDonalds, Burger King or any other fast food restaurant. That's because such disclosure is not required. Even when an item is touted as being "all-beef," it may be only 70 percent meat and not run afoul of regulations.
