Are you the person who embraces a Taco Bell patron’s “live mas” lifestyle? Do “Yo quiero Taco Bell?” Translation: I want Taco Bell.
If you’re wondering how many tacos Taco Bell sells yearly, you’ve come to the right place. Also, you ask great questions. Let’s hang out.
Taco Bell sells over 2 billion tacos a year. That’s a lot of tacos. Like, 3.8 billion tortillas worth of tacos.
In addition to moving over 2 billion tacos yearly, Taco Bell sells a staggering 1 billion burritos yearly. It makes you wish that Taco Bell would take a page out of McDonald’s playbook.
Remember when Mcdonalds’ signs proudly declared, “Over X billion hamburgers sold?” Likewise, over X billion tacos sold on the Taco Bell sign would be informative and aspirational.
But wait, there’s more. Keep reading to discover more facts about Taco Bell that will light your brain on fire like you just ingested a packet of diablo (Spanish for “devil”) sauce.
With a name like diablo, you know that sauce packs a punch.
Taco Bell has been a staple of the American fast-food scene for decades. They offer an array of Mexican-inspired items (although their tacos, burritos, and other food products are not considered authentic Mexican cuisine).
Let’s run for the border and see what’s cooking at Taco Bell.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is one of the behemoths of American fast-food restaurants. The company was founded in 1962 by Glen Bell.
Doubt Glen Bell’s vision and exceptionalism at your peril. The man invented the preformed taco shell in 1951. In my opinion, we should dynamite his face into Mt. Rushmore.
There are approximately 6,500 Taco Bell restaurants worldwide (although none exist in Mexico). Of these 6,500 restaurants, over 80% are independent franchises.
Those 6,500 Taco Bell locations require staffing. At least 143,000 people work for Taco Bell. Thank a Taco Bell employee for their hard work the next time you enjoy a chalupa and order of cinnamon twists (reminiscent of the Mexican churro).
Taco Bell Advertising
Taco Bell has run through several memorable slogans over the years. But, of course, who can forget the directive to “run for the border?”
And the chihuahua that declared, “Yo Quiero Taco Bell?” A genuinely legendary and unforgettable piece of branding.
Onto Taco Bell’s current slogan, “live mas!” Spanish for live more, the best way to live mas is to run to your nearest Taco Bell drive-through, order a stack of soft shell tacos (or Doritos locos tacos, if that’s your thing), and a Mountain Dew Baja Blast to wash it down with.
Taco Bell advertising is so effective and widespread it’s been estimated that their television commercials are seen by 150 million people weekly. That staggering number represents almost half of the US population.
Unique Menu Items at Taco Bell
Taco Bell has paired with several companies to offer unique menu items. One is the Doritos Locos taco shell – a hard taco shell available in nacho cheese and cool ranch flavors.
These shells are so popular they are available for purchase at grocery stores and other retail stores throughout the United States.
Another unique menu offering from Taco Bell is Mountain Dew Baja Blast. This one-of-a-kind flavor (tropical lime) of Mt. Dew is available only at the Bell. So grab 32 ounces of delicious Baja Blast the next time you go to Taco Bell and live mas.
Fourth Meal and First Meal
The first meal is Taco Bells’ attempt at infiltrating the fast food breakfast market. They offer menu items like a breakfast box, burritos stuffed with eggs and cheese, breakfast quesadillas, and hashbrowns.
The fourth meal, on the other hand, is Taco Bell’s push to sell late-night food. The fourth-meal menu is the same as the normal daytime menu. The “fourth-meal” moniker is a marketing push by Taco Bell.
I’ll Have the Pizza
Yes, Taco Bell sells pizza. The return of their Mexican pizza was announced in 2022. Unfortunately, the menu item was discontinued during the 2020 pandemic.
Make It Saucy
Taco Bell offers several sauces (10 as of this writing) to enhance the flavor of its many products. Diablo Sauce is the most potent of these, which packs a punch similar to tabasco sauce.
These sauces proved to be such a hit with consumers they are now available for retail purchase. So check the shelves of your local grocery store, and you might be lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle.
Apply the sauces liberally to your foods to kick them Taco Bell is known for. Run for the border in the comfort of your home with Taco Bell sauces.
How Much Food Does Taco Bell Sell?
Great question. It’s been estimated that the weight of tacos that Taco Bell sells yearly is equivalent to two Titanics.
Let’s talk pinto beans. Who knew Taco Bell food items had pinto beans in them? They do, and Taco Bell uses around 62 million pounds of pinto beans yearly.
And ground beef? Taco Bell sells a staggering 295 pounds of ground beef every year. That’s almost a pound of ground beef for every man, woman, and child in the United States of America.
Taco Bell sells so much food, and it’s estimated that they serve 35 million people weekly. That adds up to almost half of the population of the United States every month.
Don’t forget the cheese. Taco Bell sells around 106 million pounds of cheese every year. That’s a lot of cheddar.
Conclusion
What have we learned? Well, Taco Bell moves a staggering amount of food every single year. Their 6,500 locations sell around 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos a year.
Those tacos and burritos add up to millions of pounds of ground beef, taco shells, cheese, and beans.
Taco Bell also has unique menu items like the Doritos Locos Tacos and Baja Blast Mountain Dew. Yum. Great, now I’m hungry.
