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Yum China opens first Taco Bell in ShanghaiYum China opens first Taco Bell in Shanghai

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 10, 2017

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Yum China

Yum China Holdings Inc. and Taco Bell Corp. on Monday officially opened the first China unit of the Mexican-inspired brand in Shanghai.

The restaurant debuted near Shanghai's landmark Oriental Pearl Tower in the Lujiazui area, the city's central business district. 

“Leveraging our deep insights into Chinese consumer preferences, developed from close to 30 years operating in this market, we thoroughly researched and fine-tuned the Taco Bell menu for China,” said Micky Pant, Yum China CEO, said in a statement. “And the initial response from customers is very encouraging."

The menu features the brand's favorites that have been adapted to local tastes, including a shrimp and avocado burrito, a Crunch Taco Supreme with nacho sheese sauce and a Volcano Chicken Burrito with Sriracha sauce.

"Taco Bell is an innovative brand with a strong heritage that we believe will resonate well with Chinese millennials,” Pant said.

Taco Bell has more than 7,000 restaurants, with more than 300 units in 26 countries outside the United States.

Yum China Holdings, with executive offices in Shanghai, licenses other Yum! Brands concepts in mainland China, including KFC and Pizza Hut. It owns more than 7,300 restaurants, including the Little Sheep and East Dawning concepts.

Photos courtesy of Yum China

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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