A POPULAR taco chain dubbed “better than Chipotle” by fans has announced 30 new locations coming to two US states by this fall.
Known for its tasty tacos and burritos, the brand is also betting big on beverages with a new national rollout of a vibrant six-drink lineup just in time for summer.
Taco Bell is opening 30 new Live Más Cafés in California and Texas by this fall, it’s been announced[/caption]
The brand is also rolling out a new range of fizzy drinks, dubbed Refrescas[/caption]
The company is aiming to hit $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030[/caption]
From energy-boosting sips to frozen fruit-filled cool-downs, Taco Bell says its new Refrescas drinks are all part of a bold plan to hit $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030.
The Tex-Mex giant added the 30 new Live Más Café branches will be opening in Southern California and Texas.
Liz Matthews, the brand’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, said: “We’re seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether it’s for energy or a sweet treat throughout the day.”
“So, we’re making big investments to become the ultimate beverage stop where our fans can expect to see the same bold, unexpected creativity in their cups as they do on their plates.”
The Live Más Café expansion builds on the success of a test site in Chula Vista, California.
Locations in Dallas, Houston, Irvine, San Diego, Los Angeles County and more are next, with the first already pegged for 468 S Main St. in Orange, CA.
Each Café will feature more than 30 signature drinks – from Churro Chillers and specialty coffees to Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream Sodas – all handcrafted by trained “Bellristas” in an upgraded dine-in space.
The new summer sip line-up includes Agua Refrescas in three fruity flavors – Strawberry Passionfruit, Dragonfruit Berry, and Mango Peach – each blended with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and a subtle green tea kick for a gentle caffeine boost.
For those needing something stronger, Rockstar Energy Refrescas come in Pineapple Lime and Tropical Punch.
These drinks are exclusive to Taco Bell and pack a bold punch with 200mg of caffeine per 20oz serving.
Rounding out the refreshment roster is the Refresca Freeze, a frozen twist on the lineup that blends icy cool-down with real fruit pieces and a blast of Strawberry Lime flavor.
The rollout has already sparked chatter online – and not just about the drinks.
One user posted on Facebook: “Taco Bell is better than Chipotle, let’s just be honest.”
Taco Bell clearly agrees – and it’s ready to serve that energy with a side of lime.
It comes after Taco Bell fans were left divided by a rumored new Baja Blast dessert, which sparked controversy over its bold coloring.
A bright green “Baja Blast pie” was pictured in a Facebook post from food page Greasy News, described by one unimpressed fan as looking like “toothpaste.”
Others piled on with comments like “Nope, not eating that,” and “Would it make a good car wax?”
While the fluorescent dessert hasn’t been confirmed for menus, the image stirred enough online chatter to leave Taco Bell loyalists split.
Meanwhile, in a more welcome update, Taco Bell has brought back its crispy chicken nuggets for a limited eight-week run at locations nationwide.
“The demand for our nuggets was off the charts,” said Taco Bell’s chief marketing officer Taylor Montgomery.
The chain is now eyeing a permanent place for the spicy snack by 2026.
Marinated in a jalapeño buttermilk blend and coated in crushed tortilla chips and breadcrumbs, the nuggets are available in five or ten-piece portions, starting at $3.99.
