Alaskans Treated to Free Tacos

ANCHORAGE, AlaskaWhat started as a hoax ended up with free tacos for an entire town in a remote stretch of Alaska. As part of an ongoing feud between two residents of Bethel, Alaskawhich sports just one unit from a chain restaurant, a Subway, along with several independent restaurantsone of the individuals distributed flyers proclaiming the impending arrival of a Taco Bell franchise, listing his counterparts telephone number as the lead for anyone looking for a job at the restaurant. Word spread quickly, though, that it was simply a hoax. But all was not lost. After Taco Bell heard about the prank, they decided to make good on the offerat least for a day.

The chain decided to helicopter in a Doritos Locos Tacos food truck and enough provisions to make 10,000 tacos, dubbing the initiative Operation Alaska (Taco Bell has performed similar feats, previously treating U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan to free tacos). This entailed airlifting in 950 pounds of beef, 300 pounds of lettuce, 150 pounds of Cheddar cheese, 500 pounds of sour cream, and 300 pounds of tomatoes.

According to the Associated Press, Greg Creed, CEO, Taco Bell, declined to divulge the total cost of the stunt, which was filmed by the company. Stock from the event has now gone into Taco Bell advertising campaigns.

As a citizen of Bethel notes in one of the videos: The whole fell for it. As much as you can go viral in our little town it went viral in 20 minutes. This is a good joke. Then another Bethel resident notes that the town was totally crushed to find out that Taco Bell was not going to be here. After the arrival of the truck and its gratis taco payload, a Bethel youth relates, Its like heaven on earth.

Sources:
AP, Hoax Prompts Free Tacos in Alaska Town
Eater, Well Yeah Taco Bell Made Alaskan Taco Airlift Ads