Seattle’s Butler family sold the assets of Taco vs. Burrito to Wisconsin-based game and toy company PlayMonster after building the card game from a seven-year-old’s idea into a hit. GeekWire reported the 2025 sale on July 26; its financial terms were not disclosed.
Who created Taco vs. Burrito?
Alex Butler came up with Taco vs. Burrito in Seattle in 2018, when he was seven. His mother, Leslie Pierson, and father, Mark Butler, helped turn the idea into a playable card game. The family developed it through conversations and paper versions over several months before launching it on Kickstarter.
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GeekWire reported that the campaign generated $25,000. Pierson later described the transformation from family idea to commercial game as “such a fun ride,” saying it was “kind of crazy to think back to it being an idea for my son” and then selling a million copies. That is her recollection in GeekWire’s July 2025 report, not a separate audited tally.
What was sold, and to whom?
Hot Taco Inc., the family’s company, sold the Taco vs. Burrito game assets to PlayMonster, a Wisconsin-based game and toy company. GeekWire said the financial terms were not disclosed. The report describes a sale of the game assets; it does not establish a purchase price.
#1 Best Overall
- Quick to Learn, Exciting to Play: Easy to learn with quick gameplay and unexpected Action Cards. Games last 15 minutes. Learn in 3 minutes and compete to create the wildest meal for victory!
- Created by a 7-year-old: Taco vs Burrito started when Alex (age 7) proclaimed that he wanted to create a game. The result was this highly strategic, epic food fight that not only is awesome to play but had 5 different ways to play the same game.
- Ideal Gift for Every Occasion: Whether it's a Birthday, Christmas, Graduation, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any special gathering, this game is a fantastic gift for anyone who loves board games or card games
- Complete Set for Epic Fun: Taco vs Burrito core game has 56 cards (ingredients and actions), 4 taco/burrito meal holders, 3 quick start cards, and a rule book. For 2-4 players, ages 6 to 106+.
- Family Bonding Time Redefined: Bring everyone together with this captivating game. Whether it's a cozy family night, a playdate for kids, or a friendly competition among siblings, Taco vs Burrito is sure to create memorable moments.
Pierson told GeekWire, “We’ve sold over a million and a half games in the past six years.” That figure is her statement in the July 2025 interview, framed over six years; it was not reported as independently audited. The official game website also displays “1,000,000+ Game Sold,” but gives no date for that counter, so it should be read as an undated publisher display rather than a current sales total.
Why did the family decide to sell?
Pierson described several factors, rather than one decisive cause. She said she preferred the early years of running a business and did not want to build a larger team or keep developing versions for existing customers. The cycle of preparing for holiday and Prime Day demand had also worn on her.
Rank #2
- COLLECTOR TIN: Experience the wildly popular Taco vs Burrito card game in an all-new premium metal tin, built for collectors, gifting, and travel. Keeps cards safe, organized, and ready for game night anywhere.
- EASY TO LEARN, IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT DOWN: Created by a 7-year-old and loved by millions, Taco vs Burrito combines simple setup with laugh-out-loud strategy. Learn in minutes, play in 10–15, and enjoy endless replay value with every round.
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN FOR ALL AGES: Perfect for kids, teens, and adults alike! Whether you’re planning a family game night, birthday party, or vacation trip, this game delivers quick, hilarious, and surprisingly strategic gameplay.
- ENDLESS LAUGHS & REPLAY VALUE: Every round brings surprise, speed, and strategy! Perfect for players who love fast-action party games and want nonstop fun that never gets old.
- THE ULTIMATE GIFT FOR GAME LOVERS: A hit gift for kids, families, and card game collectors. The collectible tin box makes it ideal for Christmas, birthdays, or holidays—a conversation starter and centerpiece for any game shelf.
She additionally pointed to uncertainty about tariffs and costs. In the context of explaining her frustration, she told GeekWire, “Every day, Trump wakes up and has a new idea of tariffs — it’s gonna be this, it’s gonna be this, it’s gonna be this,” adding, “I was just like, ‘I’m done.’ This isn’t the phase I love. I surely don’t love not knowing what the cost of something is.” GeekWire also reported that Alex’s interests had shifted toward video games. The family chose cash from the sale rather than keeping an ownership stake tied to a perpetual royalty.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What kind of game did the family create?
The official Taco vs. Burrito website describes it as a family-friendly strategy card game. Its listed guidance is for ages 6 and up, two to four players, and 15 minutes per game. The goal is to finish with the highest-scoring meal.
Rank #3
- This Foodie Expansion Pack requires the Taco vs Burrito Card Game which is available for purchase separately.
- New Game Play - Takes the game play in Taco vs Burrito to the next level with 20 new game-changing cards including James Beardo, Super No Bueno, and a Wild Card.
- Surprisingly Strategic - Basic gameplay is easy to master but the Action Cards shift the game into unpredictable territory. Exciting up to the very last card!
- Created By A Kid, Perfect For Everyone - Alex dreamed up TvB at age 7, but this crazy, fun strategic food fight is a smash with kids, teens, and adults alike! Ideal for ages from 7+. This fun card game is the ideal gift for your boys, girls, friends, or family.
- Easy To Learn and Quick To Play - Takes 3 minutes to learn,15 minutes to play and is for 2-8 players. Includes 30 cards, 4 tortilla holders, and instructions in a portable box for traveling and playing outdoors
- Food cards add points to a meal.
- Hot Sauce Boss cards multiply points.
- Tummy Ache cards reduce points.
- Action and reaction cards can change how a turn plays out.
These details reflect the publisher’s description, not an independent evaluation of the game. The official site presents the base game, an expansion, and a bundle; availability and pricing may change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Soft Plush Case: Experience the wildly popular Taco vs Burrito card game in an all-new soft plush case, built for collectors, gifting, and travel. Keeps cards safe, organized, and ready for game night anywhere
- Easy to Learn, Impossible to Put Down: Created by a 7-year-old and loved by millions, Taco vs Burrito combines simple setup with laugh-out-loud strategy as 2–4 players compete to earn points and build the best taco or burrito
- Quick Rounds: Each game takes about 10–15 minutes, encouraging back-to-back play, rematches, and endless Taco vs. Burrito fun
- Family-Friendly Fun For All Ages: Perfect for kids ages 6 and up, teens, and adults alike! Whether you’re planning a family game night, birthday party, or vacation trip, this game delivers quick, hilarious, and surprisingly strategic gameplay
- Complete Set for Epic Fun: Includes a plush taco case, 56 cards, 4 taco/burrito meal holders, 3 quick start cards, and instructions
Rank #4
- Fast-Paced Fun for All Ages: Engage in a lively game where players race to match cards with spoken words like "Taco," "Cat," "Goat," "Cheese," and "Pizza." Designed for 2–8 players aged 7 and up, each round lasts just 10–15 minutes, making it perfect for quick family card games or travel entertainment. Its simplicity and speed ensure everyone stays engaged and laughing.
- Simple Rules, Wild Gameplay: Players take turns playing cards while chanting the game's title in order. When a spoken word matches the card played, everyone races to slap the pile and the last one to do so takes the cards! Add in surprise action cards and it becomes a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud competition that's easy to learn but hard to stop playing.
- Card Games for Families and Social Events: Whether it's a holiday gathering, birthday party, or casual get-together, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a go-to choice. Its easy-to-learn rules and engaging gameplay make it a hit among both kids and adults. It's also a top pick for stocking stuffers and Easter baskets, offering fun without the need for screens.
- Portable Entertainment for On-the-Go Fun: Compact and lightweight, this card game is travel-friendly, making it an excellent companion for road trips, vacations, or family outings. Its quick setup and short playtime ensure that you can enjoy a fun-filled game session anytime, anywhere.
- Boosts Cognitive Skills and Reflexes: Beyond entertainment, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza helps develop important skills such as concentration, pattern recognition, and fine motor coordination. Players must stay alert and think quickly, making it both a fun and mentally stimulating activity for all ages.
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