#TheGreatAmericanTakeout offers a second helping

Organizers behind last week’s inaugural #TheGreatAmericanTakeout are taking a second bite at the apple on Tuesday, offering restaurants another push on social platforms to highlight off-premise offerings.

A coalition of restaurant brands and the Los Angeles-based ad agency High Wide & Handsome are offering restaurant operators free downloadable images at its website to promote Tuesday’s Great American Takeout promotion.

Last week’s campaign generated more than 28,000 posts on Twitter and 21,000 on Instagram, a spokesperson for the group said. Any restaurant brand can participate by just using the #TheGreatAmericanTakeout hashtag.

“We are going to be pushing this again nationwide this week on Tuesday and subsequent weeks to help our industry,” said Sarah Grover, interim chief marketing officer of Culver City, Calif.-based Veggie Grill, one of the restaurant brands in the coalition.

Also on Tuesday, Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell Corp. said participating locations will be offering a free Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco at its drive-thrus, while supplies last.

“It’s a small way for us to say thank you for the ways you’re showing up for your communities and our chance to give you a little TLC during this time,” Mark King, CEO of the Yum Brands Inc. division, said Monday in a letter to customers. “We also know that for many of you, delivery is more than just an option – it’s a necessity. We’ve expanded our free delivery offer through GrubHub for all orders $12 and up to make it easier for you.”

Related:#TheGreatAmericanTakeout movement trends on social media as restaurants promote takeout during the coronavirus pandemic

King said most Taco Bell restaurants are operating only through the drive-thru. “This leaves some truck and ambulance drivers unable to quickly order from us,” he said. “We are working with our franchisees on a solution for this where possible, and we want to make sure this group knows how much we appreciate everything they’re doing.”

In addition, the Taco Bell Foundation is donating $1 million to No Kid Hungry, the national campaign to end childhood hunger in America, King said.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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