No Tricks, Free Taco Bell® Black Jack Taco Treats to Celebrate the World Series and Halloween

It’s the Big Apple vs. the City of Brotherly Love as the Fall Classic is ready to treat baseball fans everywhere with a memorable World Series matchup. While we cannot predict a winner, we do know one thing for certain, that millions of Americans will be winners of a free Black Jack Taco.

Game Three of the 2009 World Series falls on Halloween this year, so in celebration of both events, Taco Bell®, the official Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) of Major League Baseball®, announced the free giveaway. Baseball fans, taco fans and Halloween fans alike can get one free Black Jack Taco by visiting participating Taco Bell restaurants across America between 6 p.m. and midnight (local time) on October 31, 2009.

The 2009 World Series will match the New York Yankees vs. the Philadelphia Phillies beginning this Wednesday and all games will be televised on FOX, with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET for each game (8:00 p.m. ET for Game Four on Sunday).

The Black Jack Taco, a new limited-time-only addition to the 79-89-99 Why Pay More!® Value Menu, is a fresh twist on the classic Crunchy Taco. Featuring a new, eye-catching black taco shell, the Black Jack Taco is filled with seasoned beef, and topped with zesty Pepper Jack sauce that kicks the flavor up a notch.

Taco Bell has a long history of “Think Outside the Bun®” promotions with Major League Baseball. In addition to last year’s successful “Steal A Base, Steal A Taco” World Series promotion, the company has also placed its famous “Free Taco” target at multiple World Series games. Taco Bell is currently in its sixth year as an Official Sponsor of Major League Baseball.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who led all of baseball with 70 stolen bases and who stole the “free taco base” in the 2007 World Series, will serve as Taco Bell’s spokesperson.

"The World Series is baseball’s biggest stage," said Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox center fielder. "My first start, first hit, first World Series ring and to top it all off, I had the chance to steal a base that won tacos for America. Winning the World Series was the highlight, but winning tacos for America was pretty cool too. It’s fun that this year we can all celebrate the Fall Classic with a free Black Jack Taco."

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday, we know that millions of Americans will be out celebrating as well as trick or treating,” said David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp. “This year it’s all tricks and no treats, as we also have a marquee World Series matchup to celebrate. So what better way to treat our customers than to give them a free Black Jack Taco.”

“We know everyone will be celebrating Halloween this year glued to their television sets watching a thrilling World Series Game Three, and there’s no better snack this Saturday than a free Black Jack Taco,” said John Brody, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Marketing, Major League Baseball. “Taco Bell has once again delivered with a tremendous, fan-friendly promotion that celebrates baseball and the World Series in a way that everyone can enjoy.”

Get one (1) free Black Jack Taco (approximate retail value 89¢, prices may vary) at participating Taco Bell® restaurants in the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia only on October 31, 2009 from 6 p.m. until midnight, while supplies last. Limit one (1) free Black Jack Taco per person. No substitutions will be allowed. Participating Taco Bell restaurant managers reserve the right to refuse to give a Free Black Jack Taco to any person he/she reasonably believes has already received a Free Black Jack Taco or has engaged in any other fraudulent activity. Restaurant manager’s decisions are final. Offer is subject to availability and no rain checks will be given. Void where prohibited.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp. (“Taco Bell”), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme®, in addition to the 79-89-99 Why Pay More!® Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.