Taco Bell set to open second store in Auckland CBD

Monday, 16 December 2019

Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell will open its second store in the Auckland CBD.

Restaurant Brands, the chain's parent company, has applied for a liquor licence for 3 Shortland St, just off lower Queen St.

The first Taco Bell was opened last month in West Auckland's LynnMall Brickworks food precinct.

Restaurant Brands chief executive Russel Creedy said the chain could have 25 locations in New Zealand.

Restaurant Brands chief executive Russel Creedy said there would be at least 25 Taco Bells across the country by 2024 which could add about 1000 new jobs.

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'We are simultaneously rolling out in NSW and ACT in Australia, with a total estimated spend of $65 million across both markets over the next five years,' Creedy said at the New Lynn launch.

Taco Bell sales reached US$72m (NZ$108.2m) for the 2018-2019 financial year. Restaurant Brands also had plans to build 30 more KFC stores in NZ and Australia, its best performing fast food chain in the region.

Taco Bell Asia Pacific managing director Ankush Tuli said 70 per cent of the ingredients, including the beef and chicken, were from New Zealand.

Tuli said the Asia Pacific region was spearheading Taco Bell's growth and the market was a big focus for the company.

While the chain was mostly a drive-through style restaurant in the United States, the international model for the franchise was to have a sit-down restaurant.

Taco Bell is in 30 countries.

Burritos sell from $7.99, double tacos from $8.50 (or $12 for a combo), burrito bowls from $8.99, and sharing bowls from $9.99. Taco Bell sells full-strength beer for $7.99 a bottle, and frozen margaritas for $8.99.

The liquor licence application was for the restaurant's opening hours, seven days a week 8am - 1am.

First Retail Group chief executive Chris Wilkinson said the first Taco Bell had been popular since it opened on November.

'It shows that consumers are always looking for something new and different,' he said.

'The first store has been busy and it has buoyed the stores and restaurants around it.'

Wilkinson said the company would probably build the brand's infrastructure in Auckland before expanding into other city centres.