• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 8, 2019

Kansas City-based creative agency Barkley has been named agency of record for quick-serve Mexican restaurant brand Taco John’s, following a review. 

The client had previously worked with Lawrence & Schiller. It was not clear if L&S participated in the review. 

Barkley will be responsible for brand strategy, integrated creative campaign development, digital/social strategy and content, media strategy and planning.

Barkley is also tasked with amplifying Taco John’s new “Bigger, Bolder, Better” brand positioning (developed by AWC) and partnering with franchisees to improve the guest experience. 

The QSR chain spent around $2 million on measured media last year, down from about $2.5 million in 2017, according to Kantar Media. 

Headquartered in Cheyenne, WY, 50-year-old Taco John’s has some 400 restaurants across 23 states. 

“We’re excited to leverage our deep restaurant expertise and understanding of modern consumers to build on that and connect with new guests,” said Jason Parks, Chief Growth Officer at Barkley. “Our research tells us that millennial parents’ use of quick-service Mexican food offers tremendous growth potential for the Taco John’s brand.” 

“Barkley has a history of building long-term growth stories in the restaurant space, and reinvigorating legacy brands,” added Alan Wright, Taco John’s vice president for marketing. 

The agency’s first work for the brand will launch in September.