Like many fast-food chains across the country, Taco Bell is looking for new strategies to streamline its operations and boost sales. One of its newest strategies has allowed some stores to cut the popular Taco Bell breakfast menu for good.
Farewell to Breakfast
Fans of the Taco Bell breakfast menu may want to check their local store – the popular fast food chain has announced that some of its franchisees have chosen to end their breakfast menus.
Streamlining Their Menus
Taco Bell confirmed on Friday that some locations around the country would be axing their breakfast items in an effort to “streamline” their menus.
“Constantly Evolving”
“Taco Bell is constantly evolving our menu to better serve our franchisees, team members, and fans,” the fast food chain confirmed in an email statement to TODAY last week.
Only a Minority of Stores
It also confirmed that the number of Taco Bell locations going breakfast-less would be a “small minority” overall. They would also be entirely franchise-owned restaurants.
The Majority Will Keep It
“With that said, breakfast will continue to be served in the majority of Taco Bell restaurants as only a small minority have opted out of serving breakfast,” the statement added.
All Company-Owned Stores
Of the 8,500 Taco Bell locations operating across the country, only 500 are company-owned. While the company did not give an exact number of stores affected by the announcement, it confirmed that all 500 company-owned stores will be keeping their breakfast offerings.
Fan Favorites Gone
These changes will be in effect in October, meaning fan-favorite items the Breakfast Crunchwrap and Breakfast Burrito will no longer be on the menu.
Given the Option
The remaining 8000 franchisees were given the option of cutting their breakfast menus as part of a strategy to give them more “flexibility to focus on key drivers of growth,” separate from company initiatives.
“Their Needs Are Being Heard”
“Franchisees have expressed appreciation for the gesture, saying that they feel like their needs are being heard to flex their menu to better support what their community craves,” the company statement continued.
Focusing on “Dayparts”
“Others shared that they look forward to focusing on other dayparts like lunchtime and the new Cantina Chicken Menu,” it added.
A Blessing for Franchisees
This is the first time Taco Bell has ever given its franchisees the option to remove entire sections of the overall menu, but the chain is confident it will give them the extra time and resources to devote to its prime day menu.
Focusing On Other Areas
Despite some locations dropping the morning menu, the company itself will be focusing on “ramping up its coffee program” and testing out new items for the breakfast menu.
A Solid Performer
Regardless of the company’s optimistic approach, the news has been a surprise to many given that its breakfast sales had actually improved in the second quarter of 2024, according to the latest earnings call.
Yum’s Strongest Performer
While Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, did not directly reference the breakfast menu in its own earnings call, it acknowledged Taco Bell as its strongest performer, with sales up by 5% from the last quarter.
Part of It’s Success
The breakfast menu has meaningfully contributed to the chain’s sales since it was first introduced back in 2014.
Not Everyone is Pleased
While Taco Bell has maintained that the decision will be a help to the franchisees that implement it, many Taco Bell Breakfast lovers are unhappy with the brand’s latest decision.
Customers React
Fans took to social media to condemn the news, and even to beg the company to reverse its decision. “This will seriously be the nail in the coffin for me,” one person wrote, with another saying “Please don’t, you’ll ruin my Saturday morning tradition.”
A Reassurance for Fans
The fast food chain acknowledged the popularity of its breakfast menu in its announcement, saying: ‘Our Breakfast Crunchwraps and Breakfast Burritos are simple yet craveable. That’s why we are continuing to serve breakfast in the majority of our restaurants, including all company-owned restaurants.”
A 19-Item Menu
The Taco Bell breakfast menu currently offers 19 items priced between $1.69 to $7.19, and items are usually only served in the mornings between 7 and 11 am.
Won’t Affect Store Hours
The lack of a breakfast menu will not affect opening and closing times for any stores, according to the company statement. Taco Bell locations will continue to open at 9 am or earlier, regardless of whether they offer breakfast options.
20 Foods You Should Never Put on Your Plate
Listen up—these foods might seem harmless, but they’re secretly sabotaging your health. They look innocent in your kitchen, but trust me, they’re trouble. Here’s a quick rundown of 20 foods that aren’t as friendly as they seem. Consider this your heads-up! 20 Foods You Should Never Put on Your Plate
Taco Bell’s Biggest Value Meal Ever Hits the Market
America’s most popular Mexican-American fast food chain has joined the so-called “fast food wars,” offering new meal deals to bring customers through their doors. Taco Bell’s Biggest Value Meal Ever Hits the Market
Cut These 20 Ultra-Processed Foods from Your Diet
American supermarket shelves may dazzle with convenience and flavor, but beneath the flashy packaging lurks a world of ultra-processed foods. Can you decipher labels to make healthier choices for your well-being? Cut These 20 Ultra-Processed Foods from Your Diet
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / GarethWilley.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional advice.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.