WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Taco Bell, which records majority of its revenues from drive-thru windows, reportedly plans to open hundreds of new locations without a drive-thru by 2022, so it can finally sell more booze.
The Tex-Mex brand plans to open 300 to 350 locations of new drive-thru-less cantinas by 2022 as it aims to make its presence known in urban areas, the reports said.
Taco Bell really depends on the drive-thru as the food tastes better if it sits in a bag for a few minutes while one drive home. Also, eating Taco Bell in the first place is a much shameful experience, making drive-thrus preferable for customers.
There are currently 6,000 Taco Bells nationwide which feature drive-thrus. As per reports, around 55 to 70 percent of Taco Bell's revenue comes from orders purchased at the chain's drive-thru windows.
The company announced earlier this year its 'upscale' restaurants under the name Taco Bell Cantina. The main difference being that the Cantinas would be able to serve alcohol. Then, the company had opened only a handful of Taco Bell Cantinas in the U.S.
The project's success made the company to plan to open an additional 350 Cantina locations over the next five years in big cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, Nashville and New York. These Cantinas won't have a drive-thru, because some federal law restricts people driving around with open containers of booze and tacos.
According to Food & Wine, these cantina-style restaurants will serve beer, wine, sangria and Twisted Freezes. They will feature artwork, open kitchens and digital menu boards. The chain reportedly plans to open 50 locations in Manhattan, compared to six restaurants now.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX