Taco Cabana® Establishes Community Giving Initiatives to Honor and Lend Support to Military Families

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, Taco Cabana® proudly establishes a community giving initiative focused on honoring members of the military and their families. All Taco Cabana restaurants, as well as employees at its corporate offices in San Antonio, will participate in programs throughout the year that illustrate the company's commitment to giving back to those who serve this country.

Giving Back to Those Who Serve

On October 14, Taco Cabana kicks-off one of two fundraising programs it has planned to benefit the Warrior and Family Support Center (WFSC), a one-of-a-kind national rehabilitation center located at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. This 100% donation-driven center offers a comforting environment for military families and wounded service members from all over the country to reconnect during medical treatment and rehabilitation.

"The Warrior and Family Support Center provides a nurturing environment that allows our brave service members who have been wounded in service to have a first-rate facility to rehabilitate with comfort and dignity, while reconnecting with their loved ones," said Todd Coerver, Taco Cabana's chief marketing officer.  "We are proud to support the WFSC and the important work it does to help those who have given so much to our country.  While the center is national in its reach, we are proud to have it located in our hometown of San Antonio."  

Your Donation Will Make a Difference

Taco Cabana fans will be familiar with this initial fall fundraising program, which gives guests a booklet filled with five coupons for free bean and cheese tacos in exchange for a $1 donation. This year, the donations will directly benefit the WFSC to support the services that help military patients and their family members.

The coupon booklets will be available for $1 each at Taco Cabana restaurants October 14 to October 31, and the coupons for free bean and cheese tacos are redeemable (one per person, per visit) in the month of November. That makes them a great alternative to hand out instead of candy on Halloween!

Also beginning October 14, all Taco Cabana locations will begin offering a 20% discount to anyone showing a valid military ID or wearing a military uniform. The 20% military discount is a year-round offer.

The next fundraising program is slated for May 2012 to celebrate our military heroes and their families just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Supporting the WFSC

Taco Cabana's connection with the WFSC stretches back several years, with employees volunteering regularly to help cater lunch or dinner for those at the Center. The inspiring stories of employee experiences at the WFSC was one of the factors that helped influence the decision to focus our community giving efforts on supporting military families.

"With hundreds of thousands of active military living near Taco Cabana restaurants throughout Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, we believed that honoring military families would be important and meaningful to the communities we serve," said Coerver.

The footprint of Taco Cabana's locations throughout Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma closely mirror the locations of the military installations across the three states:

• There are 25 military bases within those three states.(1)
• There are approximately 275,000 military personnel living on or near those installations.(2)

"It's also important to note that this is a cause near and dear to our hearts because we have several active and retired military personnel among our employees and their immediate families. Taco Cabana will continue to find ways to honor the service of our employees, our guests, and those in our extended communities," said Coerver.

About the Warrior and Family Support Center

The Warrior and Family Support Center (WFSC) provides coordinated services to wounded warriors, next-of-kin and extended family members, offering a friendly, comfortable environment for military families to reconnect during medical treatment. The only one of its kind in the Army, the WFSC allows wounded warriors and their family members to receive emotional support and answers to their questions, and to extend their rehabilitation away from the hospital. The $5.6 million WFSC facility was built in 2008, funded solely by donations, and is staffed by volunteers. The Center gives families a place to take a break, watch a movie on big-screen TV's, play video games, check email or use the Internet, select a book or magazine to read, make a phone call or just grab a cup of coffee.

About Taco Cabana®: The Flavors of Mexico

In 1978, Taco Cabana began as a taco stand in San Antonio, with the unique recipes and ingredients that reflect our rich Mexican culture and food. With more than 156 restaurants in 3 states, Taco Cabana continues to redefine the Mexican fast-casual dining experience through ongoing menu and service enhancements. We are committed to providing our guests the true flavors of Mexico, served up in a relaxing, patio cafe environment. From our kitchens daily fresh-made tortillas and handmade salsas to our flame-grilled fajitas and refreshing margaritas, our commitment to quality lives on, making Taco Cabana one of the region's most enduring and beloved Mexican food brands. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for offers and updates from Taco Cabana or for more information, please visit www.tacocabana.com.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Taco Cabana is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., which is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States. Carrols operates three restaurant brands in the quick-casual and quick-service restaurant segments with 550 company-owned and operated restaurants in 16 states. Carrols is also the largest Burger King® franchisee, based on number of restaurants.  In the Carrols' family of companies, Fiesta Restaurant Group owns and operates two Hispanic brands, Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana®. Carrols announced plans earlier this year to spin-off Fiesta Restaurant Group as a stand-alone company.

1 – Source: American Forces News Service

2 – Source: American Forces News Service

SOURCE Taco Cabana