Taco Bell has opened several ultra-modern stores in Southern California that include “patios with fireplaces, communal dining tables made of reclaimed wood, exhibition kitchens, dome lighting, chalkboard menu specials and midcentury modern lounge chairs”, according to the Orange County Register.
Fireplaces?
The idea is to create a more inviting space with one of four “designs” that include California Sol, Modern Explorer, Heritage and Urban Edge, according to the OC Register.
Though it seems a little off-brand for a restaurant known for $1 burritos, fiery Doritos Locos and their forthcoming fried chicken taco shell, Taco Bell continues to be a power player in the stagnating fast food industry.
It wasn’t lost on us, however, that some designs look a heck of a lot like Chipotle, which is still struggling to win back customers after food safety issues last year. Coincidence? We think not.
The OC Register article had this amazing fact, however.
“Half the U.S. population eats Taco Bell once a month,” Yum CEO Greg Creed told CNBC during an interview Wednesday morning. The average customer visits every 11 days.”
Whaaaaaat?
Do they know that one of the ingredients in the beef was once tested as an organic olive fly attractant in Sonoma County? The little guys couldn’t resist the smell, drowning in the deliciously scented lures. Seems even flies jones for a little beefy burrito action at 2a.m.
No word on any Sonoma County Taco Bell stores getting one of these schwanky upgrades, but reps said that franchisees will have the option to use one of the new designs when they are due for remodeling.
Check out my review of the breakfast biscuit taco. Spoiler: It wasn’t amazing.