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Taco Bell’s long-awaited ‘redefined drive-thru’ to open Tuesday in MinnesotaTaco Bell’s long-awaited ‘redefined drive-thru’ to open Tuesday in Minnesota

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

June 6, 2022

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2 Taco Bell Defy drive thru

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Proving the world has come a long way from garbled squawk-box ordering of the past, the long-awaited Taco Bell unit that promises to “redefine the drive-thru” is scheduled to open in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Tuesday.

Dubbed the “Taco Bell Defy” — and once described as looking like a “Demolition Man” prophesy come true — the two-story restaurant features a four-lane drive-thru, digital check-in screens using QR codes for mobile orders, a vertical lift to send orders down to cars, and two-way video communication with restaurant staffers on the unit’s second floor.

“Taco Bell Defy is an incredible innovation for our brand, and one that’s meeting our consumer in a really unique way. For decades, we’ve been committed to providing a fast, safe and friendly drive-thru experience; now with our bold goal of creating a two-minute or less drive-thru experience for customers of this concept, Taco Bell Defy is the future,” said Mike Grams, Taco Bell president and global chief operating officer, in a statement.

 

Designed by Minneapolis-based Vertical Works, the unit is operated by franchisee Border Foods.

Co-founder and Border Foods CEO Lee Engler described the new unit a “a creative, technological solution for a faster, contactless experience for as many Taco Bell fans as possible and is poised to be the future of quick-service dining.”

Related:Forget the double drive-thru. Meet the new Taco Bell Defy

Take a look at the new Taco Bell Defy.

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Taco Bell

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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