With the goal of attracting more Millennial guests, Taco John’s is hitting the streets this summer. The Mexican quick-service restaurant chain is deploying street teams to preview parties, music festivals, and even marathons. In return, Taco John’s is seeing increases as high as 42 percent in new Facebook followers on the day of a street team event.
"The reaction has been fantastic. Regardless the type of event, loyal fans and potential new guests are both excited to see our teams, curious to learn about new menu items and eager to take home free Taco John’s swag,” says Jeff Linville, CEO for Taco John’s. “Best of all, by motivating them to connect with us on social media, we’re able to continue the conversation long after the event is over and they’ve gone home.”
Taco John’s selected events that attract crowds regionally as well as from across the country. The restaurant chain is focused on growing. The word-of-mouth sparked by street teams is one way for Taco John’s to reach into new markets and raise brand awareness.
“Our street teams have engaged with people from Texas, New England, all across the country,” says Billie Jo Waara, chief marketing officer for Taco John’s. “When they go home, they not only have a good story to tell, they show off our name and logo every time they wear one of our shirts.”
Taco John’s has been driving online engagement during the street team events by encouraging people to sign up for a chance to win free food for a month. More than 30,000 people have entered the giveaway by submitting their email address. To date, one winner has been selected from Rochester, Minnesota, and one from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The street teams staged their first event in April to kick-off Taco John’s “Summer of Tacos” campaign. From April to August, the restaurant chain is launching a series of limited time offer menu items under one promotional theme. The final stop for the street team will be this weekend at the Country Jam in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
