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Baja Blast fans can breathe easy. Taco Bell and PepsiCo have renewed their partnership for another 11 years, keeping Pepsi in Taco Bell fountains through 2036. They announced the deal Oct. 22, one week after sister chain KFC said it would drop Pepsi for Coca-Cola in the U.S. after 40 years. Both chains belong to Yum Brands, like two siblings from the same house cheering for rival teams.
Yum Brands agreed in June to sell Pizza Hut. That leaves KFC, the Habit Burger & Grill and one chain that supplies 43% of the company's operating profit. Taco Bell's same-store sales rose 7% in the second quarter against 3% growth across Yum, and system sales at the chain climbed 9% while Pizza Hut slipped 2%. Digital orders reached 47% of the mix. CEO Chris Turner said Taco Bell "entered Q3 in its strongest position ever" and told investors the company would move ahead as a "more focused organization positioned to accelerate growth."
Americans are drinking less alcohol, and fast-food chains have spotted a chance to fill the gap. They are courting young customers with frozen coffees and energy drinks that buyers can customize down to the flavor shot. Taco Bell has pushed harder than most, opening more than 30 Live Más Cafés inside its existing restaurants, where workers it calls "Bellristas" serve creamy chillers, fruity refreshers, and seasonal drinks alongside the usual menu. A diner can wash down a Triple Double Crunchwrap with a Pineapple Lime Rockstar Energy Refresca and its 200 milligrams of caffeine, roughly twice a regular coffee. Early results have already justified the expansion. After Taco Bell debuted Live Más Café outside San Diego in late 2024, that location saw a 40% sales lift, and the chain now plans a systemwide rollout as it chases $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030.
Taco Bell is bringing its Live Más Café concept to Texas. To continue its push to transform itself into a beverage powerhouse, the fast food giant will open a Dallas location on November 6 and a Houston spot on November 20. Earlier this year, Taco Bell announced it’s targeting 30 new cafés by the end of 2025, with plans to expand the concept nationwide eventually.
Summer's getting to its end, and the pumpkin spice season has already begun at quick-service restaurants. Several major chains launched their fall flavors early this year, giving fans their seasonal favorites ahead of the traditional autumn rollout.
The simple drink menu has become America's quick-service restaurants' most powerful tool. From Taco Bell's Churros Chillers to McDonald's colorful refreshers, chains are investing heavily in beverages to increase profits and draw younger customers. Leading this beverage change are refreshers - light, fruity drinks that pack caffeine without coffee's boldness. These drinks typically use green tea or lemonade bases and appeal to health-conscious consumers wanting energy boosts with lower sugar content than traditional sodas.
Taco Bell has launched an innovative beverage concept called Live Más Café in San Diego, offering specialty drinks alongside its classic Mexican-inspired fare. The café, a partnership with longtime Taco Bell franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group, features an extensive drink menu including shakes, coffees, fruity Agua Refrescas, and more.
As inflation continues to impact wallets, many fast-food chains started a trend of launching value meals to attract budget-conscious diners. We gathered the 10 best affordable options that offer a satisfying meal for a fair price.
While the fireworks light up the sky, the question "Where to eat?" is louder than ever. Unlike Thanksgiving or Christmas, many restaurants stay open on July 4th, though hours may vary. Most chains will be open on July 4th, 2024. We made a list of popular chains opened this Thursday!