, Taco Bell serves over customers each year, at 7,072 restaurants, more than 93 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees. PepsiCo purchased Taco Bell in 1978, and later spun off its restaurants division as Tricon Global Restaurants, which later changed its name to Yum! Brands. == History == Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell, an entrepreneur who first opened a hot dog stand called Bell's Drive-In in San Bernardino, California in 1948.
He took what he had learned and opened a new stand in 1951.
In April 2019, they introduced a "loaded nacho taco" for a dollar. === Discontinued menu items === One of Taco Bell's original 1960s menu items was the Chiliburger, later known as the Bell Burger, then the Bell Beefer.
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast food restaurants originating in Irvine, California in 1962, by founder Glen Bell.
The name underwent several changes, from Taco-Tia through El Taco, before settling on Taco Bell. Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California. In 1964, the first franchisee opened, in Torrance, California.
The name underwent several changes, from Taco-Tia through El Taco, before settling on Taco Bell. Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California. In 1964, the first franchisee opened, in Torrance, California.
In 1967, the 100th restaurant opened at 400 South Brookhurst in Anaheim.
The first location east of the Mississippi River opened in Springfield, Ohio in 1968.
In 1970, Taco Bell went public with 325 restaurants. === PepsiCo subsidiary === In 1978, PepsiCo purchased Taco Bell from Glen Bell.
The local restaurant was called "Taco Bell's Casa" and had been operating in Australia since the 1970s.
, Taco Bell serves over customers each year, at 7,072 restaurants, more than 93 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees. PepsiCo purchased Taco Bell in 1978, and later spun off its restaurants division as Tricon Global Restaurants, which later changed its name to Yum! Brands. == History == Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell, an entrepreneur who first opened a hot dog stand called Bell's Drive-In in San Bernardino, California in 1948.
In 1970, Taco Bell went public with 325 restaurants. === PepsiCo subsidiary === In 1978, PepsiCo purchased Taco Bell from Glen Bell.
Another store is due to open at the Tropicana Gardens Mall in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. ====Japan==== Taco Bell once operated shops in Tokyo and Nagoya in the 1980s but withdrew several years later.
Taco Bell is still open in Kuwait and hasn't been pulled out ever since from the Kuwaiti market. === North America === Taco Bell has been present in Canada since 1981 with the first store opening in Windsor, Ontario.
In September 2007, Taco Bell returned to Monterrey, projecting an American image with an Americanized menu that included french fries, but it closed in January 2010 due to low patronage. === Oceania === ====Australia==== Taco Bell first opened in Australia in September 1981, but Taco Bell was ordered to change its name after the owner of a local restaurant successfully sued Taco Bell for misleading conduct.
Another commercial advertisement for the Waffle Taco, features the narrator singing, "I've been eating Egg McMuffins since 1984.
The advertisement stated the claim that the McMuffin belonged in 1984.
Several locations in the Midwestern United States were converted from Zantigo, a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Mexican chain which PepsiCo acquired in 1986.
In 1986, a location was opened in London on Coventry Street (between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus) followed by a second location in Earl's Court near the Earl's Court tube station.
In 1990, the Hot 'n Now chain was acquired.
On July 21, 2009, Gidget, the Chihuahua featured in Taco Bell ads in the late 1990s, was euthanized after suffering a stroke.
For the time being, Romania is the only country in Eastern Europe that has a Taco Bell store. ====Russia==== In the early 1990s, PepsiCo opened several Taco Bell locations inside the Moscow metro system, including Metro Park Kulturi and Metro Komsomolskaya.
Taco Bell sold Hot 'n Now to a Connecticut company in 1997. In 1991, Taco Bell opened the first Taco Bell Express in San Francisco.
After a highly publicised launch in Mexico City in 1992, all the restaurants were closed two years later.
A third restaurant has opened in Breda. ====Poland==== The first Polish Taco Bell store was opened in 1993.
In 1994, the university food provider Compass announced plans for outlets on its university and college sites.
Taco Bell began co-branding with KFC in 1995 when the first such co-brand opened in Clayton, North Carolina.
Taco Bell sold Hot 'n Now to a Connecticut company in 1997. In 1991, Taco Bell opened the first Taco Bell Express in San Francisco.
The chain has since co-branded with Pizza Hut and Long John Silver's as well. In 1997, PepsiCo experimented with a new "fresh grill" concept, opening at least one Border Bell restaurant in Mountain View, California on El Camino Real (SR 82).
Close to the time that PepsiCo spun off its restaurant business in 1997, the Border Bell in Mountain View was closed and converted to a Taco Bell restaurant which was still open in 2018. In September 2000, up to $50 million worth of Taco Bell-branded shells were recalled from supermarkets.
They stated that it would go to Taco Bell franchisees and TGR would not take any of it. === Yum! Brands subsidiary === PepsiCo spun out Taco Bell and its other restaurant chains in late 1997 in Tricon Global Restaurants.
Close to the time that PepsiCo spun off its restaurant business in 1997, the Border Bell in Mountain View was closed and converted to a Taco Bell restaurant which was still open in 2018. In September 2000, up to $50 million worth of Taco Bell-branded shells were recalled from supermarkets.
Access is restricted to relevant service personnel. In the late 2000s, Yum! Brands announced that it was reopening Taco Bell locations in the United Kingdom as part of a large planned expansion into Europe.
In 2001, Tricon Global announced a $60 million settlement with the suppliers.
Upon the announcement the hotel was booked up in two minutes Taco Bell announced plans to stay in its current corporate headquarters until 2030. == Menu and advertising == In March 2001, Taco Bell announced a promotion to coincide with the re-entry of the Mir space station.
With the purchase of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, the owners of A&W and Long John Silver's chains, Tricon changed its name to Yum! Brands on May 16, 2002. In March 2005, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) won a landmark victory in its national boycott of Taco Bell for human rights.
No piece of the station struck the target. In 2004, a local Taco Bell franchisee bought the naming rights to the Boise State Pavilion in Boise, Idaho and renamed the stadium Taco Bell Arena.
Also, in 2004, Mountain Dew offered Taco Bell stores the exclusive right to carry Mountain Dew Baja Blast, a tropical-lime-flavored variety of the popular soft drink. In 2007, Taco Bell first offered the "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion—if any player from either team stole a base in the World Series, the company would give away free tacos to everyone in the United States in a campaign similar to the Mir promotion, albeit with a much higher likelihood of being realized.
It had "Taco rice" and "Shrimp and avocado burrito" on its original menu. ====Philippines==== Taco Bell opened its first Philippine branch on October 30, 2004, at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
The first Taco Bell in Spain was opened at Naval Station Rota in 2004 and is available only to those authorized to access the naval base.
With the purchase of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, the owners of A&W and Long John Silver's chains, Tricon changed its name to Yum! Brands on May 16, 2002. In March 2005, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) won a landmark victory in its national boycott of Taco Bell for human rights.
It was established in late 2006, after the departure of the U.S.
Also, in 2004, Mountain Dew offered Taco Bell stores the exclusive right to carry Mountain Dew Baja Blast, a tropical-lime-flavored variety of the popular soft drink. In 2007, Taco Bell first offered the "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion—if any player from either team stole a base in the World Series, the company would give away free tacos to everyone in the United States in a campaign similar to the Mir promotion, albeit with a much higher likelihood of being realized.
After Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox stole a base in Game 2, the company made good on the promotion on October 30, 2007.
In September 2007, Taco Bell returned to Monterrey, projecting an American image with an Americanized menu that included french fries, but it closed in January 2010 due to low patronage. === Oceania === ====Australia==== Taco Bell first opened in Australia in September 1981, but Taco Bell was ordered to change its name after the owner of a local restaurant successfully sued Taco Bell for misleading conduct.
Three more TBG restaurants opened before they were closed in 2008.
There is also a branch at the TriNoma mall in Quezon City. ====Singapore==== Taco Bell in Singapore existed for a number of years, mostly as combination stores with KFC such as the one that operated at the Funan Digital Life Mall, but in 2008, Taco Bell completely pulled out of Singapore. ====South Korea==== There are currently two locations in Seoul, in the Itaewon and Hongdae districts, which attract the most foreigners and college students.
A second location opened in the Ártúnshöfði part of Reykjavík in November 2008. ====Netherlands==== On April 4, 2017, Taco Bell opened its first restaurant in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
The first Taco Bell for the public was opened in the Islazul Shopping Mall, Madrid, in December 2008.
Beginning in October 2019, Taco Bell locations in the UK began serving Doritos Locos Tacos. On 2 March 2020, the first Welsh Taco Bell branch was opened in Cardiff. === Middle East === A Taco Bell opened in the United Arab Emirates in November 2008 in Dubai at the Dubai Mall.
The commercial represents Taco Bell's first foray into movie theater advertising, featuring the ad during the opening previews of Revenge of the Fallen and Public Enemies as well as screens in some movie theater lobbies. On July 1, 2009, Taco Bell replaced 20-year sponsor McDonald's as the fast-food partner of the NBA.
On July 21, 2009, Gidget, the Chihuahua featured in Taco Bell ads in the late 1990s, was euthanized after suffering a stroke.
Army's Yongsan Garrison, which is off-limits to non-military personnel, and for a time there was a tongue-in-cheek grassroots campaign by non-Korean, non-military foreigners in Seoul to get another Taco Bell location. ====Sri Lanka==== In July 2017, Taco Bell opened an outlet in Colombo, Sri Lanka. === Europe === ====Cyprus==== A Taco Bell opened in Cyprus in December 2009 in Limassol at the MY MALL Limassol.
Yum! Brands announced that it would open additional restaurants in Spain in early 2009 as part of a test trial for the European market.
In an effort to promote its $2 Meal Deals, Taco Bell started a Facebook group in June 2010 to collect signatures on a petition that appeals to the Federal Reserve to produce more two-dollar bills. A large advertising push by Taco Bell was begun in late February 2011 in response to a consumer protection lawsuit filed against the company by an Alabama law firm.
Taco Bell relaunched in the Chinese market when a store opened in Pudong, Shanghai in late 2015. ====India==== India's first Taco Bell outlet opened at the Mantri Square mall in Bangalore in 2010.
The two branches opened in the summer of 2010, Itaewon's branch coming first.
In July 2021, a new branch will be opened in Oulu. ====Greece==== Greece's first Taco Bell opened in Athens upon the grand opening of the newly constructed Athens Metro Mall on November 30, 2010.
The first new store opened at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex on June 28, 2010.
Another store opened in Basildon, Essex on November 29, 2010, and a third in the Manchester Arndale Food Court on November 7, 2011. On March 1, 2013, it was announced that trace amounts of [meat] from a European supplier had been found in various food products, including Taco Bell's beef in the UK, hampering the chain's growth in that already-stubborn market.
In September 2007, Taco Bell returned to Monterrey, projecting an American image with an Americanized menu that included french fries, but it closed in January 2010 due to low patronage. === Oceania === ====Australia==== Taco Bell first opened in Australia in September 1981, but Taco Bell was ordered to change its name after the owner of a local restaurant successfully sued Taco Bell for misleading conduct.
In an effort to promote its $2 Meal Deals, Taco Bell started a Facebook group in June 2010 to collect signatures on a petition that appeals to the Federal Reserve to produce more two-dollar bills. A large advertising push by Taco Bell was begun in late February 2011 in response to a consumer protection lawsuit filed against the company by an Alabama law firm.
Another store opened in Basildon, Essex on November 29, 2010, and a third in the Manchester Arndale Food Court on November 7, 2011. On March 1, 2013, it was announced that trace amounts of [meat] from a European supplier had been found in various food products, including Taco Bell's beef in the UK, hampering the chain's growth in that already-stubborn market.
Taco Bell offers free soda refills in its stores. On March 31, 2011, Priszm, owner of Taco Bell (Canada), went into bankruptcy protection in Ontario and British Columbia.
On May 6, 2011, Priszm Income Fund was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange for failure to meet the continued listing requirements.
She commented that reviving memories of a suit that the majority of the public had forgotten after the initial burst of publicity was the wrong strategy from Taco Bell. In March 2012, Taco Bell teamed up with Frito-Lay and created the Doritos Locos Tacos, which is a taco with a Dorito Nacho Cheese flavored taco shell.
Taco Bell is releasing a Mountain Dew infused drink called Mountain Dew A.M. On June 6, 2012, Taco Bell announced it would be testing a new "Cantina Menu" with upscale items in their Kentucky and California restaurants.
The restaurant closed in August 2012 and the chain withdrew from the Greek market due to the country's recession. ====Iceland==== Taco Bell in Iceland is operated as a part of the KFC establishment in Hafnarfjörður, suburb of Reykjavík.
As of February 2012, the locations at Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre, and Mirdif City Centre have all closed and Taco Bell has completely pulled out of the Emirati market.
The new menu was created by celebrity chef Lorena Garcia, and featured the addition of: Black Beans; Cilantro Rice; Citrus & Herb Marinated Chicken; and Cilantro Dressing. The Cool Ranch Doritos Taco, became available to order on March 7, 2013.
However, they neglected to inform the majority of their stores of this – leading to numerous complaints on its social media accounts and news sites from disappointed consumers who were unable to obtain the new taco. On July 23, 2013, Taco Bell announced they were discontinuing the sale of kids' meals and accompanying toys at all of their U.S.–based restaurants by January 2014.
Some outlets ceased their sale as early as July 2013. On August 6, 2013, the chain announced it was expanding its test market of "Waffle Tacos" to ≈100 restaurants in Fresno, California, Omaha, Nebraska and Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning on August 8 of that year.
It was the top–selling item during breakfast hours at the five Southern California restaurants where they had been test–released earlier in 2013.
Another store opened in Basildon, Essex on November 29, 2010, and a third in the Manchester Arndale Food Court on November 7, 2011. On March 1, 2013, it was announced that trace amounts of [meat] from a European supplier had been found in various food products, including Taco Bell's beef in the UK, hampering the chain's growth in that already-stubborn market.
and Urban Taproom in 2014.
It was launched in Huntington Beach, California in August 2014.
In February 2014, Taco Bell made its hot sauces available for purchase, sold in bottle form at grocery stores.
However, they neglected to inform the majority of their stores of this – leading to numerous complaints on its social media accounts and news sites from disappointed consumers who were unable to obtain the new taco. On July 23, 2013, Taco Bell announced they were discontinuing the sale of kids' meals and accompanying toys at all of their U.S.–based restaurants by January 2014.
The breakfast menu started on March 27, 2014.
But when I saw Taco Bell made a Waffle Taco, I figured I would get with the times" set to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"— another shot at McDonald's. On April 28, 2014, Taco Bell ridiculed McDonald's for its "out–dated muffins", in a breakfast campaign devised by Taylor.
In October 2014, Taco Bell launched the Pink Strawberry Starburst Freeze beverage for a limited time.
In addition to the potatoes, the company had announced plans to expand their vegetarian menu by introducing Beyond Meat as a plant-based vegetarian customization option. In April 2021, Taco Bell said that it will start reusing hot sauce packets in partnership with the recycling company TerraCycle, aiming to reduce the environmental pollution. === Dollar Cravings === On August 18, 2014, Taco Bell launched a new value menu called Dollar Cravings.
On November 19, 2015, the original Taco Bell building in Downey was moved to the Taco Bell Corporate Headquarters in Irvine, California.
closed on September 15, 2015 so the company could focus on its new similar Taco Bell Cantina concept, which featured special menu items and served alcohol.
In October 2015, Taco Bell launched a certified vegetarian menu. In August 2016, Taco Bell announced it would begin testing a mashup known as Cheetos Burritos at select Taco Bell restaurants On September 19, 2016, Taco Bell launched Airheads Freeze, a drink inspired by the candy Airheads White Mystery, and allow people to guess its flavor on social media.
Taco Bell relaunched in the Chinese market when a store opened in Pudong, Shanghai in late 2015. ====India==== India's first Taco Bell outlet opened at the Mantri Square mall in Bangalore in 2010.
In 2015, Taco Bell returned to the Japanese market with a new shop in the downtown area of Shibuya, Tokyo.
In 2016, Taco Bell launched the Taco Bell Cantina flagship store located on the Las Vegas strip.
In March 2020, Taco Bell announced that it would be converting 3 of its suburban stores into Cantinas this year as part of a test run. In March 2016, Taco Bell introduced private beta testing of an artificial intelligence bot on the messaging platform Slack designed to take orders of select menu items from local Taco Bell locations and have the orders delivered.
In September 2016, Taco Bell opened a pop-up in New York City in the SoHo, Manhattan area called the Taco Bell VR Arcade.
Taco Bell and VR fans could demo PlayStation VR, games, and food. In 2016, Taco Bell built a restaurant out of five cargo shipping containers for the Texas music festival, South by Southwest.
In August 2016, Taco Bell brought back its Pink Strawberry Starburst Freeze.
In October 2015, Taco Bell launched a certified vegetarian menu. In August 2016, Taco Bell announced it would begin testing a mashup known as Cheetos Burritos at select Taco Bell restaurants On September 19, 2016, Taco Bell launched Airheads Freeze, a drink inspired by the candy Airheads White Mystery, and allow people to guess its flavor on social media.
On September 15, 2016, Taco Bell introduced the Cheddar Habanero Quesarito, a quesadilla shelled burrito.
It was announced in August 2017 that the store would begin hosting weddings.
Taco Bell announced plans in November 2017 to open 300 more urban and Cantina-style locations by 2022, with 50 to be located about New York City's five boroughs.
In April 2017, Taco Bell announced that it will begin testing the Naked Breakfast Taco in Flint, Michigan in mid-April.
Army's Yongsan Garrison, which is off-limits to non-military personnel, and for a time there was a tongue-in-cheek grassroots campaign by non-Korean, non-military foreigners in Seoul to get another Taco Bell location. ====Sri Lanka==== In July 2017, Taco Bell opened an outlet in Colombo, Sri Lanka. === Europe === ====Cyprus==== A Taco Bell opened in Cyprus in December 2009 in Limassol at the MY MALL Limassol.
Further restaurants are planned to be opened within the next 18 months (probably also in Cyprus' capital Nicosia). ====Finland==== On June 15, 2017, Finnish restaurant company announced that it is bringing Taco Bell to Finland.
The first restaurant opened in central Helsinki on November 9, 2017.
Restaurants in Sello and Iso Omena malls in Espoo opened later in November 2017.
A second location opened in the Ártúnshöfði part of Reykjavík in November 2008. ====Netherlands==== On April 4, 2017, Taco Bell opened its first restaurant in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Following an aggressive campaign of expansion, Taco Bell's efforts soon withered, and the chain withdrew from Poland shortly thereafter. ====Romania==== The first Taco Bell store opened in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on October 12, 2017, and there are currently 10 stores on the Romanian market.
There are 67 Taco Bell branches by late 2019, more than twice than in 2017 when Taco Bell had 32 branches in Spain.
Taco Bell announced, at least, 10 new restaurants through Spain. As of March 2017, there are 32 Taco Bell restaurants in Spain; 13 of them are in Madrid, and the other 19 Taco Bell are distributed through Valencia (5), Málaga (2), Barcelona (2), Zaragoza (2), Alicante (2) and Jerez de la Frontera, Murcia, Cádiz, Granada, Sevilla and Naval Station Rota with 1 restaurant. ====United Kingdom==== The United Kingdom was the first European country with a Taco Bell.
By August 2017, there were 17 Taco Bell branches in the United Kingdom, all of which were in England and outside of London.
The first Scottish branch was opened in Glasgow in December 2017.
The Annerley store opened on Saturday November 4, 2017 with about 50 people camping out overnight to be first to try the store.
Close to the time that PepsiCo spun off its restaurant business in 1997, the Border Bell in Mountain View was closed and converted to a Taco Bell restaurant which was still open in 2018. In September 2000, up to $50 million worth of Taco Bell-branded shells were recalled from supermarkets.
These would be followed by further grocery store products including chips in May 2018 and shredded cheese in 2019.
In 2018, Collins Foods signed a development deal with Yum! Brands to open over 50 Taco Bell restaurants across Australia between January 2019 and December 2021. ====New Zealand==== Taco Bell officially opened its first New Zealand location on 12 November 2019 in the suburb of New Lynn, Auckland. === South America === There are 15 outlets in Brazil, mainly in the São Paulo area.
These would be followed by further grocery store products including chips in May 2018 and shredded cheese in 2019.
In 2019 Taco Bell opened a pop-up hotel called "The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort" which opened for one weekend in August.
In April 2019, they introduced a "loaded nacho taco" for a dollar. === Discontinued menu items === One of Taco Bell's original 1960s menu items was the Chiliburger, later known as the Bell Burger, then the Bell Beefer.
Taco Bell announced an exclusive national master franchise agreement with Burman Hospitality on May 15, 2019.
In 2019, the Taco bell expanded outside the Helsinki Metropolitan area to Lappeenranta and Turku.
There are 67 Taco Bell branches by late 2019, more than twice than in 2017 when Taco Bell had 32 branches in Spain.
As of June 2019 there are 39 branches in Scotland and England, including three in London.
Beginning in October 2019, Taco Bell locations in the UK began serving Doritos Locos Tacos. On 2 March 2020, the first Welsh Taco Bell branch was opened in Cardiff. === Middle East === A Taco Bell opened in the United Arab Emirates in November 2008 in Dubai at the Dubai Mall.
In 2018, Collins Foods signed a development deal with Yum! Brands to open over 50 Taco Bell restaurants across Australia between January 2019 and December 2021. ====New Zealand==== Taco Bell officially opened its first New Zealand location on 12 November 2019 in the suburb of New Lynn, Auckland. === South America === There are 15 outlets in Brazil, mainly in the São Paulo area.
In March 2020, Taco Bell announced that it would be converting 3 of its suburban stores into Cantinas this year as part of a test run. In March 2016, Taco Bell introduced private beta testing of an artificial intelligence bot on the messaging platform Slack designed to take orders of select menu items from local Taco Bell locations and have the orders delivered.
Yum! Brands stated that it planned to open 600 new Taco Bell outlets in India by 2029. ====Indonesia==== Taco Bell opened its first Indonesian restaurant in Senopati Street, Jakarta at 18 December 2020. ====Malaysia==== Taco Bell will open its first Malaysian store in Cyberjaya, Sepang on April 2, 2021.
Beginning in October 2019, Taco Bell locations in the UK began serving Doritos Locos Tacos. On 2 March 2020, the first Welsh Taco Bell branch was opened in Cardiff. === Middle East === A Taco Bell opened in the United Arab Emirates in November 2008 in Dubai at the Dubai Mall.
In addition to the potatoes, the company had announced plans to expand their vegetarian menu by introducing Beyond Meat as a plant-based vegetarian customization option. In April 2021, Taco Bell said that it will start reusing hot sauce packets in partnership with the recycling company TerraCycle, aiming to reduce the environmental pollution. === Dollar Cravings === On August 18, 2014, Taco Bell launched a new value menu called Dollar Cravings.
Yum! Brands stated that it planned to open 600 new Taco Bell outlets in India by 2029. ====Indonesia==== Taco Bell opened its first Indonesian restaurant in Senopati Street, Jakarta at 18 December 2020. ====Malaysia==== Taco Bell will open its first Malaysian store in Cyberjaya, Sepang on April 2, 2021.
In July 2021, a new branch will be opened in Oulu. ====Greece==== Greece's first Taco Bell opened in Athens upon the grand opening of the newly constructed Athens Metro Mall on November 30, 2010.
In 2018, Collins Foods signed a development deal with Yum! Brands to open over 50 Taco Bell restaurants across Australia between January 2019 and December 2021. ====New Zealand==== Taco Bell officially opened its first New Zealand location on 12 November 2019 in the suburb of New Lynn, Auckland. === South America === There are 15 outlets in Brazil, mainly in the São Paulo area.
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