In launching this latest product offering, Minneapolis-based Kerker called upon Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey to again save the day. “Crunchy Chicken Rides Again” features an enthusiastic husband who catapults himself over the couch to watch television with his wife. His athleticism meets with less than a rousing response when he hits his mark by squarely landing on his wife’s Crunchy Chicken and Ketchipotle® Dipping Sauce. The spot begins airing on May 2.

“This commercial continues our episodic adventures where Whiplash is called upon to save the consumer from a West-Mex™ culinary disaster. For our faithful customers, that’s a fate worse than death,” said Chris Preston, Kerker’s creative director. “He’s always dispatched by a caring Taco John’s employee who serves up a fresh Crunchy Chicken entrée in the nick of time, saving not only a dinner, but in this case, also a marriage.”

Taco John’s Crunchy Chicken is 100% all-white meat whole muscle chicken breast. The chain is the only Mexican quick service restaurant with the variety of chicken offerings that appeal to today’s on-the-go families. And they have the distinction of serving the specialty sauce of an award-winning culinary chef.

“I couldn’t believe Taco John’s was calling me,” said Chef David Schy, of Schy-Town, Inc. and owner of the Hubbard Street Grill in Chicago, who is also the former Corporate Chef for Chicago’s Lettuce Entertain You. “I’ve been a longtime fan of Taco John’s and always knew the Ketchipotle® sauce would taste great on Potato Olés®.

To pair my sauce with Crunchy Chicken is another delicious combination. It blew me away when they called and asked for samples. It was as exciting as when the Food Network called and asked the very same thing.”

“Chef Schy’s sauce captured our attention by the awards it was receiving and by the sheer quality of the product,” said Eric Haviland, director of strategic product development at Taco John’s. “Ketchipotle® was the first-place winner at the Fiery Foods Hot Sauce Challenge and took top honors in Chile Pepper® magazine’s Hot Sauce Contest.

Our research told us that David’s product was appealing to our guests, who have come to expect something extra tasty from Taco John’s.”

“Crunchy Chicken with Ketchipotle® sauce is a great way to demonstrate the bold flavors that fit the spirit of our West-Mex™ product line,” said Brian Dixon, vice president of marketing.

Taco John’s operates and franchises more than 400 quick-service restaurants in 27 states. Independently owned and operated, the business opened its first restaurant in 1969. Taco John’s prides itself on serving generous portions, menu items prepared fresh to your order, high quality ingredients, and special West-Mex™ recipes, seasonings and sauces. In 2004, Taco John's achieved over 11% same store sales growth.

Kerker is a full-service agency providing advertising, public relations, direct marketing, promotion, interactive, design and research for a broad range of local, nation and global clients. Kerker clients include Johnsonville Sausage, RSM McGladrey, Piper Jaffray, Taco John’s, United Sugars, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., Bremer Financial Corp., Mall of America, Schroeder Milk, DayPort, Ocean Beauty Alaska Wild Salmon, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the YMCA. For more information about Kerker, visit www.kerker.com. Kerker is a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world’s largest network of independent marketing and communications firms.