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Applebees, Taco Bell invade the world of food trucks

Chris Tutor — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising

As if to prove the inevitable evolution of all things cool to pedestrian commercialism, the hipster trend of high-end food trucks is being invaded by cookie cutter chain names.

As the headline says, Applebees and Taco Bell are two big names cashing in on the roving restaurant trend. But there are also now trucks from Sizzler, Jack in the Box and Red Robin. If those big fish weren't enough to have you wondering if food trucks had jumped the shark, consider that NBC (yes, that NBC) recently had a food truck at SXSW and several U.S. cities have reported seeing a food truck selling Gap-branded tacos.

Some of the big chains see their trucks as supplementary to their brick and mortar stores, while others use their vittle-vans as mobile test kitchens. Sizzler, for example, uses an electronic menu on its truck because its offerings changed so frequently. Some items proved so popular that the steak chain incorporated them into their regular menu.

So is this the beginning of road-going restaurants? Or the beginning of the end for what was for a bit a fun little trend? Adweek's story points out that some people theorize that food trucks will become as ubiquitous as mobile phones. When first introduced, mobiles were novelties, but soon evolved to replace land lines.

Applebees, Taco Bell invade the world of food trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taco Bell airlifts food truck into remote Alaska town after hoax

Chris Tutor — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Pity tiny Bethel, Alaska. First, when they want to "Run for the Border," it's a four-hour trip from the west coast of the state to Anchorage (not by car!). And according to Google Maps, the only restaurants in the entire town are a Subway franchise and something called Sho Gun Restaurant. So when a rumor was started that Taco Bell was going to set up shop in their little town, serious excitement ensued. Then fliers were posted around town heralding the fast food restaurant's pending arrival.

But, again, pity poor Bethel. Because the rumor was nothing more than someone's elaborate, cruel joke. Taco Bell was not coming to Bethel. A population of 6,200 just isn't enough to attract the mexican fast food chain.

But then Taco Bell's creative marketing department decided to turn the hoax into a PR opportunity. Their plan? Taco truck. Loaded with enough fixins to make 10,000 Doritos Locos tacos. Flown in by helicopter.

The townspeople greet the "Operation Alaska" airlifted food truck as if it were U.N. peacekeepers delivering international aid to a war-torn forward area. Kids cheer, adults beam. Taco Bell, if only temporarily, changes life in Bethel.

"This is like Heaven on Earth," one kid says. It's all a little creepy. Watch Taco Bell's new Bethel-based ads below.

Continue reading Taco Bell airlifts food truck into remote Alaska town after hoax

Taco Bell airlifts food truck into remote Alaska town after hoax originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford sells off former PAG headquarters in Irvine

Dan Roth — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Earnings/Financials

Not long ago, Ford's Premier Auto Group was filling the halls of a big office building in Irvine California. In recent years, Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar were sent packing, and Lincoln dragged itself back to Detroit, leaving the halls lonely for sole survivor Volvo, which is also headed back to Rockleigh, New Jersey.

Rather than pay for a constantly emptying building, Ford has sold its Premier Auto Group HQ to Transpacific Company. The $73 million dollar deal removes a liability from Ford's balance sheet, although Ford had already been leasing space to Taco Bell's parent company. The fast food corporation will move its headquarters to the Irvine, California building in 2010. So it goes as Ford divests itself of properties and restructures.

Although we have yet to receive official confirmation, word is that the big weekly Cars & Coffee meetup that happens in Mazda's parking lot nearby will continue. Thanks for the tip, Will!

[Source: The Los Angeles Times]

REPORT: Ford sells off former PAG headquarters in Irvine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yo Quiero Research Integrity: Kelley Blue Book partners with Taco Bell to talk residuals

Chris Paukert — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Here's an odd one of dubious merit: Kelley Blue Book's marketing research division has partnered with Taco Bell under the guise of studying the effects of in-car eating on vehicle residuals. Yes, that probably bears re-reading.

The car valuation guide experts have teamed up with fast food's Gordita gurus on the thinnest wisp of a study-- to determine the depreciation costs that sloppy 'dashboard dining' has on a vehicle's resale value.

Their findings? According to a KBB official, "Our research highlights a huge misperception among consumers: that the interior condition of a car has less importance than the exterior in terms of residual value." Fair enough. But the fact that the press release then goes on to praise "Innovative companies like Taco Bell" for "...creating solutions for diners on the go with mess-free products like the Crunchwrap Supreme[TM]" sort of takes the intellectual sheen off this one, doesn't it?

Besides, crediting Taco Bell with creating "mess-free products" is a remarkable example of selective retention. After all, there's nothing tidy about a Chalupa, kids. Not before, not during, and certainly not after.

(Thanks to Nick @ Slashfood for the tip)

[Source: KBB.com]

Yo Quiero Research Integrity: Kelley Blue Book partners with Taco Bell to talk residuals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Feb 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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