After years of speculation, Restaurant Brands has confirmed that it is looking at opening a Taco Bell in New Zealand.
"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when,” said CEO Russel Creedy. “I can see it being in the not too distant future, a year or two, and I'm looking forward to it."
Following a strong showing in Australia, as well as the success of Taco Bell restaurants taken over by Restaurant Brands in Hawaii in 2016, Creedy said that Restaurant Brands would introduce the Mexican restaurant in New Zealand.
Rumours of a local Taco Bell began as early as 2013, further fuelled by the appearance of a poster on a vacant storefront in Ponsonby supposedly announcing the arrival of the iconic brand. It was later revealed to be a prank. Last December Restaurant Brands hinted at bringing the brand across the Tasman after the success of a single Taco Bell store in Brisbane. However, the emergence of yet another Mexican food player into the already crowded New Zealand market could be a source of concern.
“I think that's related to the Taco Bell organisation signing off on being happy that all those support and supply chain issues,” Creedy said. “The formula has to be right so that when it does land in New Zealand, it's successful.”
