Restaurateur Frank Tonkin was community booster

Frank Tonkin, a friendly, upbeat restaurateur who opened some of Western Washington's first Taco Time restaurants and turned them into a regional franchise operation, liked business on the leading edge.

Having owned restaurants since the 1930s, he figured in 1960 that the area was ready for something new - say, a cafe selling fast, fresh, mild-flavored tacos with salsa on the side.

That gamble established a foothold for Mexican-American fast food throughout the region.

Mr. Tonkin died Friday (June 16) of lung disease. He was 93.

Born in Renton, he and his brothers worked at a general store founded by their grandfather, James Tonkin, who settled in Renton in 1884. The original store site is now Tonkin Park.

Bolstered by this experience, Frank Tonkin opened Tonkin's Cafe and Turf in Renton in 1933. He worked in all aspects of the business, from waiting on customers to washing dishes.

He showed his desire to capitalize on trends in 1958 when he bought Bif's Drive-in in Renton.

Hearing of the success of new Mexican fast-food franchises in Eugene and Tacoma in 1960 and 1961, Mr. Tonkin founded the Seattle area's first Taco Time in White Center in 1962. He opened a Taco Time at Alki Point with his son Jim in 1963. Then he sold Tonkin's Cafe and converted Bif's to a Taco Time.

Entering an unknown market where people pronounced "taco" as "tay-co," the first Taco Times featured only crisp tacos and burritos, and limited seating. Today they offer many entrees, salads and desserts and have the drive-up windows that were introduced in 1970.

In 1979, Mr. Tonkin's Renton-based family formed the Accord group and made Western Washington Taco Time franchises independent from Taco Time International.

Today, Accord controls 74 franchises in Western Washington, said Mr. Tonkin's granddaughter Dianna Tonkin.

Quick-witted and community- minded, Mr. Tonkin supported food banks, Little League teams, the Renton All-City (Youth) Band, the American Cancer Society and other charities. He worked as a Taco Time consultant in recent years.

An avid sportsman, Mr. Tonkin had hunted and fished, owned racehorses and belonged to Fairwood and Rainier country clubs.

He was active in the Masons and the Republican Party.

Following his grandfather's example, he involved his family in the firm. Some relatives own restaurants, his son Jim is Accord CEO, and his grandson Matt Tonkin is president.

Also surviving are Mr. Tonkin's wife of 19 years, Jennie Tonkin; his other children, Si Tonkin of Renton, Keith Tonkin of Des Moines and Joan Hanna of Vashon Island; his brother, Kenneth "Bud" Tonkin of Sequim, Clallam County; 11 other grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Tonkin's first wife, Sybil Tonkin, died in 1979.

A private life celebration is planned. Memorial donations may go to the Renton Historical Society or the Renton Boys & Girls Club.Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com