Taco Bell

Yum! Brands · YUM · EST. 1962 · Irvine, California

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US UNITS7,2842025 record · QSR Pro estimates

GLOBAL UNITS8,2002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISED %94%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Figures, scope and source dates

01Our Coverage

12 STORIES

Latest

Taco Bell keeps PepsiCo for 11 years as KFC moves to Coca-Cola

Taco Bell renewed PepsiCo through 2036 while KFC plans to switch to Coca-Cola. Two Café Refrescas are scheduled for national Taco Bell menus in December.

Oct 23, 2026

AmRest recruits Warsaw staff for planned Taco Bell launchOct 19, 2026 Taco Bell adds daily games and Friday prize entriesSep 25, 2026 Taco Bell Foundation's 2026 Grants Reach 700 NonprofitsSep 15, 2026 Omilia extends Taco Bell deal after reaching 890-plus drive-thrusSep 15, 2026 Ghai’s Houston Taco Bell purchase changes its geographic mixSep 15, 2026 The Real Math on Alcohol in QSR: What Taco Bell's Cantina Shortfall RevealsMar 28, 2026 Yum Brands Releases First-Ever Food Trends Report: What 59,000 Restaurants See ComingMar 24, 2026 Cotton Patch’s Sale Brings 46 Restaurants Into Local FavoriteSep 15, 2026 Redberry’s Canadian Expansion Shows the Work Behind Its Store TargetSep 15, 2026 Pilot completes Wendy’s kiosk rollout at 78 travel-center restaurantsSep 15, 2026 Yum's Q2 Digital Sales Figures Exclude Pizza HutSep 15, 2026

02About the Brand

Mexican-inspired QSR serving tacos, burritos, and quesadillas

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

6,237

2019

6,238

2020

6,643

2021

6,775

2022

6,838

2023

7,194

2024

7,284

2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019: QSR Pro estimates
2020: QSR Pro estimates
2021: QSR Pro estimates
2022: QSR Pro estimates
2023: QSR Pro estimates
2024: QSR Pro estimates
2025: QSR Pro estimates

Franchise Requirements

Availability and model

The US/Canada recruitment page seeks operators who can acquire and develop multiple restaurants where opportunities are available.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Operating commitment

Multi-unit operating experience, preferably in QSR, and a record of successful business ownership are requested.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Initial investment / development estimate: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Initial franchise fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Separate development fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Liquid capital / personal funds: $2,000,000
US/Canada; minimum personal liquidity
Cash or assets convertible within ten business days; requirement can increase with ownership level and transaction size.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Net worth: $5,000,000
US/Canada; minimum personal net worth
Requirement can increase with ownership level and transaction size.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Royalty / service fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Advertising / marketing contribution: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Taco Bell franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Full cost guide and sources →Official Taco Bell website

Segment Peers

Chipotle Mexican Grill Moe's Southwest Grill Tijuana Flats Qdoba Mexican Eats Del Taco

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