A Caramel Apple Empanada, one of the many delicious offerings found on the Why Pay More!? Value Menu
The Why Pay More!? Value Menu is a subset of Taco Bell's menu that was introduced in May 2008, with the aim of offering customers a selection of items at a reduced price. This menu consists of various items, including burritos, tacos, and nachos, which are available at prices ranging from 79¢, 89¢, and 99¢.
The Why Pay More!? Value Menu was updated again in April 2009 to accommodate changes in customer preferences and to introduce new items. While some items were retained, such as the Crunchy Taco and the Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, several others were discontinued. The Big Taste Taco, 7 Layer Dip Nachos, 5 Layer Dip Nachos, Spicy Chicken Burrito, and Spicy Chicken Soft Taco were among the items that were removed from the menu.
The decision to remove these items from the Why Pay More!? Value Menu was likely driven by a combination of factors, including a desire to simplify the menu and reduce complexity in the kitchen, as well as to focus on the most popular items. Additionally, the introduction of new items helped to keep the menu fresh and exciting for customers, while also maintaining the overall value proposition of the Why Pay More!? Value Menu. Overall, the changes made in the April 2009 update helped to solidify the position of the Why Pay More!? Value Menu as a popular choice for customers looking for great-tasting food at an affordable price.
Controversy[]
On April 7, 2008, American rapper 50 Cent filed a lawsuit against Taco Bell, alleging that the fast-food chain had used his name without permission in an advertising campaign for the Why Pay More!? Value Menu. Specifically, the company had taken out a full-page advertisement in several major newspapers, in which it asked the rapper to change his name to "79 Cent," "89 Cent," or "99 Cent" in honor of the menu's prices.
50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, claimed that he had not given permission for Taco Bell to use his name in this way and argued that the ad campaign was intended to capitalize on his popularity and fame. The rapper sought damages for the unauthorized use of his name, as well as an injunction to prevent the company from using his name or image in the future without his consent.
The lawsuit generated significant media attention, with many commentators questioning the appropriateness of using a celebrity's name in this way without obtaining their permission first. Ultimately, the lawsuit was settled out of court in September 2009, with Taco Bell agreeing to make a charitable donation in the rapper's name, and 50 Cent dropping his legal action against the company. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for brands seeking to capitalize on the popularity of celebrities, highlighting the importance of obtaining proper permission and avoiding any actions that could be interpreted as unauthorized use of a public figure's name or likeness.
89¢ Items[]
99¢ Items[]
- Soft Taco
- Chille Con Carne
- Five-Layer Burrito
- Caramel Apple Empanada
$2 Meal Deals[]
Comes with a medium soft drink, a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, and one of the following:
- Chicken Burrito
- Grilled Stuft Burrito
- Five-Layer Burrito
- Big Crunch Taco