Taco Bell is taking on the world.
The Mexican fast food chain plans rapid
international growth over the next four years. It
ended 2018 with just over 7,000 restaurants in 27
countries. By 2022, it wants 9,000 restaurants in
more than 40 countries.
Taco Bell — owned by
Louisville, Kentucky-based
Yum Brands Inc. — has
added around 200 restaurants
a year since 2014. It will have
to more than double that pace
to reach its goal.
This month, Taco Bell
announced a plan to open
600 restaurants in India over
the next decade. It had
entered that market in 2010
but has just 35 restaurants there now.
Past expansion efforts have sometimes hit road
blocks. In Australia, Taco Bell flopped in 1981
because of a trademark issue and in 1997 because
its food hadn’t caught on. It plans to re-enter Sydney
and Melbourne soon after a successful test in
Brisbane.
Liz Williams, president of
Taco Bell’s international
division, says markets are
maturing and are more
receptive to new foods.
Taco Bell has also
learned to make tweaks. In
India, for example, it serves
a chicken tikka masala
burrito and an extra-fiery hot
sauce.