Taco Bell St. Jude promotion a huge success
August 2009 - Donate a dollar to St. Jude, get a free taco. That's the promotion local Taco Bell franchise owners, Bud and Janet Jenkins, ran last month to generate support for the Midwest Affiliate. And in only three weeks, the campaign raised nearly $24,500 in donations - more than double the funds similar efforts have generated in the past.
The couple contributes the success of this year's promotion to the enthusiasm of local store managers and employees, who participated in the campaign by asking Taco Bell patrons for their support. They also thank local marketing firm Simantel, popular JMP Radio station “The Wolf,” and Memphis-to-Peoria-run co-founder Sheriff Mike McCoy, for their efforts to help generate interest in the campaign.
“We have a great team here locally that allows Taco Bell to do good things for our community,” the Jenkins said. “We look forward to setting the bar even higher next year.”
The Jenkins team already has plans to help reach that goal. Early in this year's promotion, Bud said he would participate in next year's Memphis-to-Peoria run if the campaign were a success. Since the final numbers have come in, local Taco Bell employees plan to hold him to his commitment.
“I've already begun my training regimen,” Jenkins said. “Helping the kids of St. Jude will make it all worthwhile.”
