Taco Bell scales back menu, cuts 2 Doritos Locos Tacos flavors
Taco Bell fans, brace yourselves: The fast food giant is paring down its menu.
Big changes are coming to Taco Bell menus starting September 12, according to the company. In order to simplify current menu options and make room for future menu items, Taco Bell plans to cut nine items.
Some of the items being removed include the beloved Cool Ranch flavored Doritos Locos Taco, and the Fiery Doritos Locos Tacos. At least for now, the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco is safe.
“Taco Bell is always evolving and enhancing our menu to meet fans’ evolving cravings, giving them more of what they want and less of what they don’t,” Taco Bell said in an email to Yahoo Finance.
“This menu simplification will make ordering easier and the kitchen more efficient, so customers can get their food faster than ever,” the statement read.
The other items leaving the menu include the Beefy Mini Quesadilla, Chips & Salsa, Chipotle Chicken Loader Griller, Double Decker Taco, Double Tostada, Power Menu Burrito and XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito.
“While we know some fans may be bummed about the items we’re removing, we are excited about the opportunity this brings to introduce new products to the menu in the future and confident that fans will love the simplified options,” the company said.
Competition in the fast-food space has been stiff, and companies have been fighting to lure customers by beefing up its menu with innovative munchies. Most recently, Popeyes launched its first-ever chicken sandwich on August 12 — and has since sold out of the sandwich amid chart-busting demand.
Meanwhile on Monday, Taco Bell’s sister company KFC announced that it was testing Beyond Meat (BYND) chicken in an Atlanta-area pilot program. The fake-meat item sold out within hours.
Despite already boasting a pretty extensive menu for those who don’t consume meat, Taco Bell plans to bet even bigger on the vegans and vegetarians.
In April, the restaurant announced that it was testing a new veggie menu in select Dallas, Texas stores. Some of the new items included a Vegatarian Quesarito and a Vegetarian Crunchwrap supreme. Taco Bell would not confirm to Yahoo Finance that the space being made on the menu was for a new vegetarian-friendly line up.
Taco Bell continues to be the star of the Yum Brands (YUM) family. The taco chain has seen strong sales momentum, and in its most recent quarter, Taco Bell same-store sales grew at a healthy 7%, eclipsing expectations for 3.8% growth.
Shares of Yum Brands have jumped nearly 28% this year, as of Thursday’s close.
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Heidi Chung is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter: @heidi_chung.
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