The most significant difference between new and old restaurant designs is size. Taco Bell is reducing the number of seats in the dining room and adding a second drive-thru banner dedicated to the withdrawal requests placed on its app. Inside, customers will also see more digital kiosks, as well as a human team that will still receive orders.
There is also collection on the sidewalk for non-contact collections and “messengers” – masked employees stationed outside, fulfilling customer orders on digital tablets. Up to 1,000 porters will be hired by the summer, said Taco Bell.
The first “Go Mobile” restaurant remodel opened in Oklahoma last year. Taco Bell said he is adding more of them because they “excited franchisees”.
Taco Bell plans to increase the number of locations globally by about 35%, to 10,000 restaurants this decade.
“Our restaurant portfolio continues to evolve rapidly, striking a crucial balance between advancing technology and social orientation,” said Mike Grams, president and global chief operating officer, Taco Bell, in a press release. “Even in the midst of a challenging pandemic, we continue to grow due in large part to the strength of our franchise partnerships, as well as the flexible formats we offer.”
Other new designs announced on Thursday include the first Cantina drive-thru in Danville, California. The restaurant was designed to be a destination for Taco Bell fans, as it has an outdoor fire pit and games area and a full bar for guests.
About 30 of these sites are currently open, but adding a drive-thru to its most recent location shows “prioritizing drive-thru service during the pandemic,” he said.