Taco Bell is going big this summer, the beloved fast-food chain, often hailed as better than Chipotle by fans online, just confirmed it’s opening 30 new store locations across two major U.S. states by fall 2025, and that’s not even the spicy part.
Alongside the expansion, Taco Bell is launching a wild new beverage lineup as part of its massive $5 billion drink sales goal by 2030.
The 30 new locations, branded under the upgraded “Live Más Café” concept, will pop up throughout Southern California and Texas. That includes cities like Dallas, Houston, Irvine, and and San Diego, and the first location is is already confirmed at 468 S Main St. in Orange, CA. This expansion follows the success of a test site in Chula Vista, proving that the next-gen Taco Bell experience is just what fans were hungry for.
Each of these Live Más Cafés will come decked out with a fresh dine-in space and more than 30 handcrafted drinks, served up by “Bellristas”, Taco Bell’s version of baristas. These aren’t your usual soda fountain drinks either. Think Churro Chillers, specialty coffees, and Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream Sodas, all whipped up on-site with flair.
But the buzz right now is all about the Refrescas, a new summer drink line that’s already turning heads. The Agua Refrescas come in Strawberry Passionfruit, Dragonfruit Berry, and Mango Peach flavors, each mixed with real freeze-dried fruit and a splash of green tea for a mellow caffeine boost. Then there’s the Rockstar Energy Refrescas in Pineapple Lime and Tropical Punch, only at Taco Bell, with 200 mg of caffeine per 20-ounce cup. And for those needing a frozen cool-down, the Refresca Freeze brings icy Strawberry Lime magic with chunks of real fruit.
Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, explained the strategy behind the drink blitz: “We’re seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle… We’re making big investments to become the ultimate beverage stop.”
The move is already creating a stir online. One fan boldly posted, “Taco Bell is better than Chipotle, let’s just be honest.” The chain clearly agrees, and they’re doubling down with snacks too.
That brings us to another tasty twist: the return of crispy chicken nuggets. Back for a limited eight-week run nationwide, the spicy nuggets, marinated in a jalapeño buttermilk blend and coated in tortilla chips and breadcrumbs, are now available in 5- or 10-piece portions starting at just $3.99. According to CMO Taylor Montgomery, demand for the nuggets was “off the charts,” and there’s already talk of a permanent comeback by 2026.
Not everything is getting applause, though. A rumored new dessert called the “Baja Blast pie” recently went viral for all the wrong reasons. The fluorescent green treat, spotted in a Facebook food post, drew instant side-eyes with comments like “Would it make a good car wax?” and “Not eating that.” Though it hasn’t been confirmed for official menus, the image alone was enough to stir controversy among loyal Taco Bell fans.
Still, the bold direction is right on brand for Taco Bell. With new drinks, new digs, and more locations in two key states, the Tex-Mex titan is aiming to satisfy every craving, whether you’re looking for a frozen fruit blend, a spicy nugget fix, or a fast-casual vibe that just hits better than the rest.
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