Taco Time Northwest

Taco Time Northwest is a fast-food restaurant chain with over 70 locations in western and central Washington state.

History

The first Taco Time opened in Eugene, Oregon in January 1960 and expanded to Tacoma, Washington. In 1962, Frank Tonkin Sr., opened a location in White Center.[1][2]

In 1979, the Tonkin family's restaurants became independent of the parent company, leading to the establishment of Accord Inc. to franchise restaurants in western Washington. The Taco Time restaurants located in eastern Washington (other than those in Wenatchee & East Wenatchee) and Oregon remained with the original corporation.[3] By 2001, Taco Time Northwest had 73 locations—of which 43 were franchised—and employed 1,500 people.[4]

Locations

Taco Time Northwest has 79 restaurants located across Western Washington, primarily centered in the Seattle metropolitan area, and two restaurants located in Eastern Washington.[5] From 2012 to 2016,[6] the company also operated a food truck called the Taco Time Traveler, which offered a limited menu at Downtown Seattle stops during the weekday lunch hour and catered community and private events on the weekend.[7][8]

The chain's location in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle had a distinct reflective glass façade that was installed in 1990. The store closed in July 2024.[9]

References

  1. Carole Beers. Restaurateur Frank Tonkin was community booster The Seattle Times, June 19, 2000, retrieved October 10, 2023^
  2. Bart Ripp. Taco Time family picked its spots, never had a plan The News Tribune, December 21, 2003, retrieved October 10, 2023^
  3. Dean Radford. Renton-based Taco Time marks 50th anniversary Renton Reporter, May 26, 2012, retrieved September 4, 2015^
  4. Russ Zabel. Family business finds fast-food success King County Journal, March 9, 2001, retrieved October 10, 2023^
  5. Find a Taco Time Taco Time Northwest, retrieved November 27, 2018^
  6. Taco Time Traveler last day Taco Time, retrieved September 15, 2016^
  7. Christopher Werner. Taco Time Enters the Food Truck Biz Seattle Met, May 11, 2012, retrieved September 4, 2015^
  8. Taco Time Traveler Taco Time Northwest, retrieved September 4, 2015^
  9. Jackie Varriano. Wallingford Taco Time will close after 50 years of business The Seattle Times, July 10, 2024, retrieved July 10, 2024^