Taco Bell's per-location traffic finished down 12.2% year over year from July 6 through Sept. 11, the period spanning the cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, according to Placer.ai data. The chain had pulled lettuce, cilantro-onion mix and pico de gallo and rolled out $1 promotions on Enchiritos and Mexican Pizzas, but traffic had swung from -18.1% to -30.9% versus its own earlier averages before recovering somewhat.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-09-23
Major fast-food chains are officially adopting menu items first popularized by customers on social media. IHOP revived its Stuffed French Toast after fan requests and rolled out Dubai Chocolate Pancakes nationwide following a viral test run, while Chipotle launched Chili Lime Chips inspired by customers crushing chips into their bowls. Taco Bell's new 'Fan Style' feature lets loyalty members build and share custom orders, following similar moves by McDonald's and Burger King.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-09-18
Custom hardware maker Tru Narla has built a compass-like device that ignores magnetic north and instead orients itself toward the nearest Taco Bell location. The project uses GPS and directional hardware, repurposing skills common in cyberpunk-style DIY electronics for a playful, consumer-friendly gadget.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-18
Yum! Brands CFO Ranjith Roy told the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference that the recent sale of Pizza Hut shows the company is willing to make aggressive portfolio changes, including potentially adding a new brand if the opportunity fits. He noted the priority remains strengthening current holdings—Taco Bell, KFC and Habit Burger & Grill—before pursuing any acquisition.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-09-15
Taco Bell has launched a new frozen dessert called the Churro Ice Cream Taco, priced at $3.99. The item features a waffle shell dipped in chocolate and filled with a new churro-flavored ice cream, drawing comparisons to the discontinued Choco Taco. It arrives alongside another frozen menu addition as summer winds down.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-02
Taco Bell has signed an exclusive development agreement with restaurant operator Americana Restaurants to relaunch in the United Arab Emirates, a market it exited without explanation in 2012. The Yum! Brands chain previously ran several locations across the UAE, including in Dubai. Americana's chairman, Mohamed Alabbar, framed the comeback around Taco Bell's brand appeal to younger consumers seeking bold flavors and value.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-09-02
McDonald's launched a Dragonberry Energizer drink in partnership with Red Bull, and days later Taco Bell countered with three new energy refreshers, according to Restaurant Business. Both fast-food giants are pushing deeper into beverages as customer spending rises and drinks attract new visitors.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-08-31
Taco Bell has rolled out a new pink beverage tied to a marketing partnership with pop star Olivia Rodrigo, timed around her third studio album. The tie-in follows Rodrigo's comments about visiting Taco Bell locations to listen to new music with friends.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-08-27
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