Since the first restaurant opened in 1962, Taco Time NW and the Tonkin family have been a northwest icon serving approximately twice the population of Washington state each year. As the northwest-based, family-owned quick service restaurant begins celebrating its 50th anniversary in February 2012, it will introduce new initiatives and programs that exemplify the company’s commitment to serving high-quality, fresh products prepared daily and to the community.
“50 years ago, great-grandpa Frank opened his first Taco Time based on two core values – caring about people and a dedication to serving quality, fresh food to restaurant guests,” said Robby Tonkin, president of Taco Time NW. “Our commitment to those values four generations later is what’s made Taco Time NW a favorite with so many people in the northwest.”
In 2012 and moving forward, Taco Time NW will continue to increase the number of products sourced from northwest suppliers and will purchase local ingredients whenever possible, including tortillas baked fresh daily from La Mexicana, a local family-owned company that Taco Time has worked with for almost 40 years. Taco Time NW’s beef is sourced from local family-owned Petschl’s Quality Meats, which delivers fresh, northwest beef to the restaurants. Taco Time NW’s famous Mexi-Fries will be made in Washington from Washington state potatoes and northwest-based Darigold provides Taco Time NW’s 60-day aged Cheddar cheese.
“Taco Time NW continually strives to work with other local family-owned companies who share a passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients,” said Chris Tonkin, vice president of Taco Time NW. “We take great pride in supporting other family-owned businesses that share our values and commitment to our communities.”
Additionally, Taco Time NW is introducing new green initiatives, including investing in many compostable packaging options. At over half of its restaurants where hauling compost to a commercial compost facility is possible, Taco Time has designed a program that allows all compostable items to be disposed of in one bin, eliminating the need for guests to separate out the compostables. When possible, the compostables will be transported to local composting company Cedar Grove.
Taco Time NW will also celebrate its 50th anniversary with the introduction of a traveling taco truck, which will visit 50 community events and block parties between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Founded by Frank Tonkin Sr., a longtime Renton resident, in 1962, Taco Time NW is now operated by the fourth-generation Tonkin family. Tonkin Sr. opened the first Taco Time with the goal of becoming one of the best Mexican food restaurants in Washington state and was met with great success, soon opening his second restaurant. Today, Taco Time NW has 73 locations spanning from Lynden to Longview and east to Moses Lake and East Wenatchee.
For more information about Taco Time Northwest, visit www.TacoTimeNW.com or call (425) 226-6656.
