Taco Bell is embarking on an Expansion drive in India

Mexican Fast food chain Taco Bell Owned by the US-based Yum! Brands Inc., is embarking on an expansion drive in India and plans to open more outlets in 12 cities in the next four years.

At present it operates nine stores in three cities and plans to add three more outlets taking the number to 12 by the year-end.

The company has partnered with the promoter family of Dabur, the Burmans whose firm Burman Hospitality has taken the franchise for north and some southern markets such as Karnataka and Telangana.

“Our initial focus will be the top metros and their neighbouring cities. We are already present in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. These three are important markets,” Taco Bell India managing director Ankush Tuli said.

Taco Bell plans to enter cities such as Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad, The company plans to have multiples stores in big citie,s he said. “We are looking to 10-12 cities between now and 2020.”

Taco Bell is also tweaking and adapting some local flavours in its menu to suit the Indian palate. “We have now tikka masala burrito. We are among the few global markets of Taco Bell which has an R&D facility. The entire vegetarian range is made for India as we do not have vegetarian outside much of India,” said Tuli.

He said by the end of this year, Taco Bell would completely source raw material and equipment locally.